Health Tip: Coping With COPD

What you can do

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(HealthDay News) -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a number of conditions that obstruct airflow in and out of the lungs. Examples include acute bronchitis, emphysema and asthmatic bronchitis.

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The National Lung Health Education Program offers these suggestions to help reduce symptoms of COPD:

• Stop smoking -- it's the most important thing you can do to help your symptoms.
• Stay away from smokers and secondhand smoke.
• During days when outdoor air quality is bad, stay indoors. If you have to go outside, cover your nose and mouth with a mask.
• Visit your doctor regularly, particularly when you have a cold or productive cough.
• Protect yourself with flu and pneumonia vaccines, as often as your doctor recommends.

-- Diana Kohnle