The most commoncause of COPDis cigarette smoking.
COPD also can be due to secondhand smoke, pollution, radon exposure, and other harmful particles.
While COPD isnt a curable disease, you’ve got the option to help slow its progression.
Courtney Hale / E+ / Getty Images
Avoiding irritants and quitting smoking help to prevent further damage.
Courtney Hale / E+ / Getty Images
Beingdiagnosedwith an irreversible condition like COPD can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, you dont have to go through the experience alone.
There is support available through online forums, chat rooms, and both in-person and virtual support groups.
Other like-minded people can teach you tips, advice, and resources to help you manage your COPD.
To join the community, visit copd.inspire.com.
For over 40 years, this connection has been helping educate and support people with lung disease.
Learn more about theBetter Breathers Clubon its website.
Lung Helpline
Have questions about COPD?
you could also visit thewebsiteto submit a question and live chat with an expert.
A teletype (TTY) line is available for people who are hearing impaired at 800-501-1068.
COPD360 Social
The COPD Foundation has created the COPD360 community, with over 51,000 members.
Register for your COPD360 social profile on itsmember sign-up page.
Sign for the networkon the MYCOPD site.
There are multipleforumswhere you’re able to start or read aconversation.
One such forum is dedicated to “end stage” COPD.
Your Medical Team
Dont forget to ask your healthcare team for support.
Theyll help provide the best answers to your questions since they have a full picture of your health needs.
Some of these groups may be private, while others are public groups.
Typically, a moderator will have to approve you into the group, depending on the group rules.
You may need to rely on family or friends to help you complete daily activities.
Caregiving is rewarding work, but still, it can be emotionally and physically draining.
Making time to take care of yourself and finding support is crucial for caregivers.
In-person and online support groups are available to help caregivers and provide them with the resources they need.
A COPD community helps provide support and tips to help you better manage the condition.
Some groups even offer access to health experts to get your questions answered by medical professionals.
Starting a support group can be a simple task depending on how you choose to trigger the group.
Youll want to decide if its an in-person or online group.
There are four stages of COPDmild, moderate, severe, and very severe.
The stages indicate how obstructed your airways have become, and how far the disease has progressed.
During later stages, youll notice more difficulty breathing and may require oxygen to help you breathe.
Agarwal AK, Raja A, Brown BD.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
StatPearls Publishing; 2021.
