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Back Quit smoking Quitting smoking is the single most powerful thing you can do to take control of your COPD. Why quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your lungs: Protect your lungs: Stopping smoking helps prevent further loss of lung function Slow the progression: COPD can’t be cured, but quitting smoking can slow the progression and help you stay active for longer. Improve your breathing: You’ll notice improvements in symptoms like coughing, phlegm, and breathlessness. Fewer flare-ups: You will be less likely to experience COPD flare-ups and hospital visits. That said, we know that quitting smoking is challenging and many people had to go through multiple attempts in order to finally quit for good. The fact that you’re taking the time to read this and even consider quitting is already a big step forward. Even if you’re not ready to quit today, it is helpful to start thinking about when might be the right time for you in the near future. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about stop-smoking programmes in your area, prescription medicines that can support you, and nicotine replacement therapies you could try. You might also find it helpful to connect with others who are going through the same process by joining a support group. Involving your family and friends can make a big difference too. They can encourage you and support you when things get tough. Finally, try to avoid being around smokers or smoke — not just to reduce temptation, but also because any kind of smoke (including second-hand smoke or smoke from wood fires) can make your COPD symptoms worse. Nutrition A healthy lifestyle benefits everyone, but it is especially important when you have COPD. Eating nutritious foods helps you stay strong. Think of food as fuel for your muscles. Because your lungs have to work harder to breathe, your body uses more energy. This means you may need more calories or protein to keep your muscles working well. You may also need more calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods to keep your bones strong. When your body is well-nourished, it is also better at fighting infections, which can help lower your risk of flare-ups or hospital visits. Maintaining a healthy weight is equally important for two key reasons: Unintentional weight loss Some people with COPD lose weight without meaning to. This can happen for different reasons. Eating may make you feel short of breath, or preparing meals might feel too tiring. Food may also taste different because of mucus you cough up. Sometimes, side effects like nausea or vomiting can make eating harder. Being overweight Carrying extra weight can make breathing more difficult, add strain on your lungs and makes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that often occurs alongside COPD, more likely. Tips and tricks on how to eat enough: Eat together with friends and family Eat 5 to 6 small meals, instead of 3 larger meals If you need to gain weight, try adding foods like oil, nuts, protein powder, or cream to your meals to boost calories and protein. It is best to work with a dietitian to create a plan that helps you gain weight in a healthy way. Make your food tasty, by adding spices or condiments If preparing meals is difficult, you can buy pre-cooked or ready-made meals, or cook larger portions and freeze them for later. You could also ask someone to help or look into meal delivery services in your area. Try to limit how much you drink during meals, and instead have plenty of fluids between meals. This helps you avoid feeling full too quickly, so you can eat enough food. Check this excellent resource to learn more about specific nutritional recommendations for people with COPD. If you need support with healthy eating or your weight, your healthcare provider might be able to refer you to a dietitian. You may also see a dietician as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. If necessary, your provider might recommend taking vitamins or nutritional supplements to meet your nutritional needs. Exercise/physical activity The amount of exercise that you can tolerate is specific to your individual circumstances. You might become slightly breathless during exercise, but you should not strain yourself too much. You might feel worried or anxious about exercising, because you’re afraid of getting breathless. This can cause you to avoid physical activity, which in  time leads to the loss of muscles strength. Weaker muscles require more oxygen, which in turn can lead to more breathlessness. This is often referred to as the cycle of inactivity. That’s why staying active is so important when you have COPD. Regular physical activity helps improve your overall strength, endurance, and strengthens your breathing muscles, making it easier to manage your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life. The amount of exercise you can handle depends on your own health and fitness level. It is normal to feel a bit breathless when you exercise, but you should avoid pushing yourself too hard. Talk to your healthcare provider about which activities are best for you. You may be advised to participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, which is a specialized physiotherapy programme that includes both exercise and education on the condition. Air travel Nowadays, travelling by airplane is accessible to many people. Nonetheless, air travel comes with its own challenges for people with COPD. Although flying with COPD is possible, careful preparation may be needed for safety and comfort If you are planning a trip by airplane, it is a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider. You might be referred for “fit-to-fly” test, also called a Hypoxic Challenge Test (HCT) or High Altitude Simulation Test (HAST). The level of oxygen onboard of an airplane is lower than the level on the ground. HAST measures how well you can cope with less oxygen in the air. It can give an indication for your need for on-board oxygen therapy. If you’re already