Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease - Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle Changes

Quitting Smoking and Avoiding Other Irritants

Quitting smoking is the first and most essential step in treating COPD and slowing its progress. In many people who quit early, lung function stabilizes and eventually declines to about the rate of nonsmokers in the same age group. In some people, lung function may even improve slightly after quitting. As COPD progresses, quitting smoking can slow the rate of decline; however, lost lung function is never fully recovered.

Most patients who smoke try to quit an average of seven times before they are successful. Using a combination of smoking cessation aids improves the likelihood of quitting. These include nicotine replacement products (such as patches, gum, nasal spray, and lozenges), counseling, and prescription medications such as bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix). [See In-DepthReport #41: Smoking.]

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Preventing Upper Respiratory Infections

Good Hygiene. People should wash their hands with ordinary soap before eating and after going outside the home. Antibacterial soaps add little protection, particularly against viruses. One study suggests that common liquid dish washing soaps are up to 100 times more effective than antibacterial soaps in killing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is known to cause pneumonia.

Vaccines. Two important vaccinations are recommended to protect against respiratory infection.

• Seasonal influenza vaccination. People with COPD should be vaccinated against influenza each year at least 6 weeks before flu season begins. Severely ill patients may experience mild adverse side effects from the vaccine. In general, however, the vaccine is very safe and appears to help reduce exacerbations of COPD during flu season.
• Pneumococcal vaccine. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcus, the major bacterium that causes pneumonia. The vaccine remains effective for years. Flu and pneumococcal vaccines can be given at the same time without increasing side effects.

[See In-Depth Report #94:Colds and Flus.]