» What to Expect
» Disease Progression
» Starting Treatment

What to expect

A diagnosis can be depressing at first, but it's important to know that you don't have to take it lying down. There are things you can do to feel better, and to help slow down the progression of the disease. It's important not to let it get the best of you. Think about what you've done to get to this point, and more importantly about what you can do differently starting today.

This all depends greatly on how severe your COPD or other condition is at this point. Hopefully, you've caught the disease at an early stage. At this point there are many things you can do to improve your chances at a longer and healthier future. But even if you have been told that your COPD is severe, don't give up. You can fight this, and with dedication, you can do a lot to feel better than you do now.

Back to Top

Disease Progression

How your life will change

At first, your doctor may take a 'wait and see' approach to your treatment and ask you to make some lifestyle changes. At this point the only symptoms you may have are a cough that won't go away and some persistent phlegm. It's important to do everything you're your doctor says; this could include changing your diet, getting more exercise, or quitting smoking. This could mean the difference between keeping your disease at bay or progressing more rapidly towards a more severe situation.

As lung disease progresses, you will experience decreasing airflow capacity and your symptoms will worsen, probably with greater shortness of breath. Exerting yourself becomes harder, and simple things like working in the garden, going upstairs, or taking a walk around your neighborhood will become much harder for you to do.

As the disease transitions to a severe state, your airflow becomes very limited. Everyday life will forever be changed, and most likely you have to rely on oxygen therapy at all times — at night, around the house, and everywhere you go. It is imperative that every patient does everything they can to never reach this stage!

Back to Top

Starting Treatment

Depending on what stage you're at when you visit your doctor for the first time, you will undoubtedly be put on some sort of treatment regimen to manage your disease. This usually consists of a medication as well as lifestyle changes. Many COPD patients will be placed on a medicine called a bronchodilator at first, and more treatments will be added if and when your disease progresses further.

It's vital that you follow your doctor's instructions with regard to medication and lifestyle changes. It's hard to change old habits, but you have to realize that this is the only chance you've got to make a change in your life and hold off this disease. It may help to talk to other people who have gone through what you are about to start. Ask your doctor, respiratory therapist or nurse if there is a local support group for people with lung disease, and be sure to visit the OxygeNation Community section of our website, where you can talk to people and get advice on just about anything.

Back to Top