Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? —
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or "COPD," is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. In people with COPD, the airways (the branching tubes that carry air within the lungs) become narrow and can be clogged with mucus (figure 1). The air sacs can also become damaged. This makes people feel out of breath and tired.
COPD can be a serious illness. It cannot be cured and can get worse over time. But there are treatments that can help.
You might have heard COPD called "chronic bronchitis" or "emphysema." These are types of COPD.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Avoid smoking – Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for your health. This is true no matter how long you have smoked or how much you smoke. If you are having trouble quitting, your doctor or nurse can help.
●Avoid triggers – If things like fumes, pollution, or dust make your breathing worse, try to avoid them.
●Carry your rescue inhaler with you all of the time, if you have one. Use your inhaler when you need to. Take all of your other medicines as instructed, too.
●If your doctor prescribed oxygen for you to use at home, use it as instructed. Some people need to use oxygen all of the time. Others use it only when sleeping or when active. Follow all instructions carefully. Also:
•Do not change the oxygen settings without talking to your doctor.
•Never smoke or light flames around the oxygen device. Do not let others smoke around you. This is very important. You could be seriously burned if there is ever a flame or lit cigarette around oxygen.
•Make sure that you have extra oxygen tanks, tubing, nasal cannula, and face masks in case of an emergency. Know how to clean all of the parts and when they should be replaced. Make sure that the tubing is not pinched or blocked.
●Lower your risk of infection – Certain infections can be very hard on your lungs and can cause COPD symptoms to flare up. You can lower your risk by getting certain vaccines. These include vaccines to protect against the flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Also, wash your hands often and stay away from people who are sick.
●Make healthy lifestyle changes – Eating a healthy diet can help improve your health. Try to get regular physical activity, too. Even gentle forms of exercise, like walking or gardening, are good for your health.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
●Are having trouble breathing, even when resting
●Are coughing up blood
●Have signs of a heart attack, such as:
•Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:
-Trouble breathing, sweating, upset stomach, or cold clammy skin
-Pain in your arms, back, or jaw
-Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs
•Fast or irregular heartbeat
•Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak
Call your regular doctor for advice if you:
●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Are feeling weak or more short of breath than usual when doing your normal activities
●Have new or worsening cough, wheezing, sputum, or shortness of breath
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for COPD (The Basics)
Patient education: COPD exacerbation (The Basics)
Patient education: COPD and diet (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering your risk of COPD (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments (Beyond the Basics)
