The average adult takes about 20,000 breaths each day – most often without our effort or awareness. Breathing brings oxygen into the lungs to be used by every part of the body, helping to keep it healthy and well. It also removes waste products, filters out dust and allergens, regulates blood pressure and heart rate, and helps with mental clarity and focus.
When the lungs don’t work well, such as with COPD or asthma, it can greatly impact daily life. People living with lung disease such as these may have difficulty completing chores or feel tired, anxious, or depressed. However, there is hope! Talk with your doctor about how you are coping and connect with some of the resources listed here. Both can help you live your best with COPD or asthma.
Call your doctor or 911 for:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or weak
- Blue or grey color in the lips, fingers, or nails
- Change in mucus or coughing up blood
- Coughing that doesn’t stop
- If your rescue inhaler does not help you breathe better
Prevention & How to Quit Tobacco
- Lung Health at Any Age Describes tips for keeping your lungs healthy throughout adulthood.
- Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- Text QUITNOW to 33388; the National Cancer Institute’s Smoke Free Text program is a 6-8 week text message program for adults with daily tips and 24/7 support for becoming smokefree
- WakeMed Tobacco Cessation Program
- Visit smokefree.gov for Tips, Apps, and a Quit Plan
- You Can Quit Smoking Practical tips to help you quit smoking or using tobacco
Asthma Information
What is asthma? A disease that affects your lungs, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
How to manage Asthma
- Learn tips for Living with Asthma
- Learn about the Six Steps and other ways to keep your asthma controlled, such as
- Understand and reduce triggers
- Track your symptoms
- Have an Asthma Action Plan
- Prepare for your doctor visits by bringing questions and your Asthma Action Plan
- Know how and why to take medicines as directed. Let your doctor know if that does not always happen.
- Know how to protect yourself from infections.
- Use a Peak Flow Meter, if directed; view the Peak Flow Meter video or Peak Flow Meter flyer to learn how
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Information
The American Lung Association has resources and education such as COPD Basics and Learning to Live with COPD, designed to help you and your loved ones learn how you can live well with COPD.
How to manage COPD:
- Try these Management Tools about nutrition, exercise, emotions, and preventing exacerbations
- Know how and why to take medicines as directed. Let your doctor know if that does not always happen.
- Use a Peak Flow Meter, if directed; view the Peak Flow Meter video or Peak Flow Meter flyer to learn how
- Monitor your weight
- Know about oxygen safety
Talk with your doctor about:
- Creating a personalized COPD Action Plan
- Advance Health Care Directives
- How a referral for a Registered Dietitian may help
- How you are coping and how Mental Health support may help
Learn about Community Resources such as:
- WakeMed Pulmonary Rehab & Cardiopulmonary Therapy
- Better Breathers Clubs and an Online Support Community
- Quit with WakeMed Tobacco Cessation Program
- WKCC Care Managers, who provide resources and support for patients in between appointments to help them live their best. Call (919) 235-6488 to get connected.