Lifestyle Changes

Quitting Smoking and Avoiding Other Irritants

Quitting smoking is the first and most essential step in treating chronic obstructive lung disease and slowing its progress. In many people who quit, lung function stabilizes and eventually declines at about the rate of nonsmokers in the same age group. In some people, lung function may even improve slightly after quitting. A number of effective aids, including nicotine replacement devices and antidepressants such as bupropion (Zyban), are available that are proving to help people quit. [For more information, see Well-Connected Report #41, Smoking.]

Preventing Upper Respiratory Infections

Good Hygiene. Everyone should wash his or her hands before eating and after going outside. Ordinary soap is sufficient. Antibacterial soaps add little protection, particularly against viruses. In fact, 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.

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Vaccines. There are two important vaccinations to help protect against respiratory infection.

• Influenza vaccination. People with emphysema should be vaccinated against influenza each year at least six weeks before flu season. Severely ill patients may experience mild initial adverse side effects. In general, however, the vaccination is very safe and appears to help reduce the severity of COPD during flu season.
• Pneumococcal vaccine. The other important vaccination is the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against the major bacterium that causes pneumonia. The vaccine remains effective for years. Flu and pneumococcal vaccines can be administered at the same time without increasing any adverse effects.