Season Finale: Exacerbations and Transitioning from Hospital to Home

Exacerbations, or flare-ups, are an unavoidable part of having COPD. And sometimes they are severe enough to require a hospital stay. That’s the bad news. But the good news is exacerbations can be treated, and there are steps you can take to avoid getting too sick too often. Jan, Jean, and our health experts talk about all things exacerbations and making a successful transition from hospital to home.

Visit our website for links and resources: HealthUnmuted.com

List of Resources

• COPD360Social, social media support group: https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Get-Involved.aspx   
• My COPD Action Plan, from COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Downloads.aspx#MyCOPDActionPlan 

For more information about support groups for COPD: 

• Healthline’s list of support groups: https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/support-groups-for-severe-copd 

For more information about flare-ups: 

• WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-is-a-copd-flare-up
• Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/steps-for-managing-copd-flare 
• MedlinePlus.gov: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000698.htm

For more information about making the transition from hospital to home: 

• COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Hospital-to-Home.aspx 

For more information on COPD medications and oxygen therapy: 

• COPD Foundation list of treatments and medication: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Treatments-Medications.aspx   
• WebMD – What are Treatments for COPD? https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-are-treatments-for-copd  
• Healthline – COPD Drugs: A List of Medications to Help Relieve Your Symptoms: https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/drugs 
• COPD Foundation information on oxygen therapy: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Oxygen-Therapy.aspx 
• American Lung Association information on oxygen therapy: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy