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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - adults - discharge

COPD - adults - discharge; Chronic obstructive airways disease - adults - discharge; Chronic obstructive lung disease - adults - discharge; Chronic bronchitis - adults - discharge; Emphysema - adults - discharge; Bronchitis - chronic - adults - discharge; Chronic respiratory failure - adults - discharge

You were in the hospital to treat breathing problems that are caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD damages your lungs. This makes it hard to breathe and get enough oxygen.

After you go home, follow instructions on taking care of yourself. Use the information below as a reminder.

When You're in the Hospital

In the hospital you received oxygen to help you breathe better. You may also need to use oxygen at home. Your health care provider may have changed some of your COPD medicines during your hospital stay.

Keep Active

To build strength:

Build your strength even when you are sitting.

Ask your provider whether you need to use oxygen during your activities, and if so, how much. You may be told to keep your oxygen above 90%. You can measure this with an oximeter. This is a small device that measures your body's oxygen level. Talk with your provider about how much oxygen is safe to use and what oxygen saturation to aim for.

Talk to your provider about whether you should do an exercise and conditioning program such as pulmonary rehabilitation.

Self-care

Know how and when to take your COPD medicines.

Eat smaller meals more often, such as 6 smaller meals a day. It might be easier to breathe when your stomach is not full. Do not drink a lot of liquid before eating, or with your meals.

Ask your provider what foods to eat to get more energy.

Keep your lungs from becoming more damaged.

Talk to your provider if you feel depressed or anxious.

Stay Away From Infections

Having COPD makes it easier for you to get infections. Get a flu shot every year. Ask your provider if you should get a pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine, a Zoster vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine.

Wash your hands often. Always wash after you go to the bathroom and when you are around people who are sick.

Stay away from crowds. Ask visitors who have colds to wear masks or to visit when they're all better.

Save Your Energy at Home

Place items you use often in spots where you do not have to reach or bend over to get them.

Use a cart with wheels to move things around the house and kitchen. Use an electric can opener, dishwasher, and other things that will make your chores easier to do. Use cooking tools (knives, peelers, and pans) that are not heavy.

To save energy:

Going Home With Oxygen

Never change how much oxygen is flowing in your oxygen setup without asking your provider.

Always have a back-up supply of oxygen in the home or with you when you go out. Keep the phone number of your oxygen supplier with you at all times. Learn how to use oxygen safely at home.

Follow-up

Your hospital provider may ask you to make a follow-up visit with:

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if your breathing is:

Also contact your provider if:

Related Information

Lung disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cor pulmonale
Heart failure
Tips on how to quit smoking
COPD - control drugs
COPD - quick-relief drugs
How to use your peak flow meter
Using oxygen at home
Oxygen safety
Traveling with breathing problems
How to breathe when you are short of breath
COPD - what to ask your doctor
Using oxygen at home - what to ask your doctor

References

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) website. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 2024 report. goldcopd.org/2024-gold-report/. Accessed May 16, 2024.

Han MK, Lazarus SC. COPD: clinical diagnosis and management. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 64.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. COPD. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/copd. Updated October 25, 2023. Accessed May 16, 2024.

Reilly J. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 76.

US Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for The Management Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Version 3.0. www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/copd/VADoDCOPDCPGFinal508.pdf. Updated April 2021. Accessed May 16, 2024.

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Review Date: 5/3/2024  

Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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