COPD: Avoiding your triggers

A trigger is anything that causes your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse. Triggers include:

• Illnesses like colds, the flu, or pneumonia.
• Poor air quality, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, smoke, or smog.
• Tobacco smoke.
• Cold, dry air; hot, humid air; or high altitudes.
• Cleaning supplies or other chemicals.
• Pollen, mold, and dust mites.
• Pet hair, skin, or saliva.
• Gases, particles, or fumes from wood or kerosene home heaters.
• Not taking or running out of your medicines.

Not all people have the same triggers. What may cause a flare-up in one person may not be a problem for another person.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Getting sick with the flu can trigger a flare-up of COPD symptoms.

   1. True

      This answer is correct.

      Getting sick with colds, the flu, or pneumonia can cause your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse.

   2. False

      This answer is incorrect.

      Getting sick with colds, the flu, or pneumonia can cause your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse.

2. Flare-ups of COPD symptoms are caused by the same things for everyone.

   1. True

      This answer is incorrect.

      Not all people have the same triggers. What may cause a flare-up in one person may not be a problem for another person.

   2. False

      This answer is correct.

      Not all people have the same triggers. What may cause a flare-up in one person may not be a problem for another person.

Flare-ups of COPD can greatly limit your activities. You may even need to stay in the hospital. By avoiding flare-ups, you may feel better, be more active, and reduce the impact of COPD on your life.

So it is important to pay attention to your symptoms. You can tell you're having a flare-up when your usual symptoms suddenly get worse. For example:

• You may wheeze or be more short of breath than usual.
• You may cough more than usual. Your cough may or may not bring up mucus. Or you may notice a change in the color or amount of mucus you cough up.
• You may have a fever, have trouble sleeping, or feel very tired. Or you may feel depressed or confused.

With treatment, many people are able to breathe as well as they did before a flare-up.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Avoiding triggers of a flare-up can help you stay out of the hospital.

   1. True

      This answer is correct.

      When you have a flare-up, you may need to be treated in a hospital until you can breathe better on your own. So it's best to avoid anything that triggers a flare-up.

   2. False

      This answer is incorrect.

      When you have a flare-up, you may need to be treated in a hospital until you can breathe better on your own. So it's best to avoid anything that triggers a flare-up.

2. A fever may be a sign of a COPD flare-up.

   1. True

      This answer is correct.

      It is important to pay attention to your symptoms. You can tell you're having a flare-up when your usual symptoms suddenly get worse. This may include a fever.

   2. False

      This answer is incorrect.

      It is important to pay attention to your symptoms. You can tell you're having a flare-up when your usual symptoms suddenly get worse. This may include a fever.

There are many things you can do to avoid triggers and stay as healthy as you can.

Avoid triggers in the air

• Quit smoking. This is the most important thing you can do. Also stay away from other people who are smoking.
• Use an air conditioner or air filter in your home.
• Cook near an open door or window, or turn on your kitchen fan.
• If there is a lot of pollution or dust outside, stay at home and keep your windows closed.

Protect your health

• Get a flu shot each fall.
• Talk to your doctor about getting a shot for pneumonia.
• Wash your hands to avoid infections.
• Eat healthy foods, exercise, and get enough rest.
• Refill your medicines before you run out.
• Take extra medicines with you when you travel.

Test Your Knowledge

1. It is okay for me to be around other people who smoke, as long as I don't smoke.

   1. True

      This answer is incorrect.

      It is important to stay away from anything that causes your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse. This includes staying away from other people who are smoking.

   2. False

      This answer is correct.

      It is important to stay away from anything that causes your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse. This includes staying away from other people who are smoking.

2. Getting a flu shot can help me avoid one of the triggers of COPD.

   1. True

      This answer is correct.

      The flu can cause your COPD symptoms to flare up. Getting a flu shot can help you avoid this trigger.

   2. False

      This answer is incorrect.

      The flu can cause your COPD symptoms to flare up. Getting a flu shot can help you avoid this trigger.

Now that you have read this information, you are ready to start identifying and avoiding triggers for COPD.

Talk with your doctor

If you have questions about this information, print it out and take it with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to use a highlighter to mark areas or make notes in the margins of pages where you have questions.

Be sure to let your doctor know if you notice changes in your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about what might be triggers for you. Ask about ways you can avoid those triggers.

If you would like more information on COPD, the following resources are available:

Online Resource

Organizations