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

Keeping healthy with COPD can be challenging. But for people like Jean, Jan, and John, COPD doesn't have to get in the way of life. It just means life looks a little different. Things like exercise, nutrition, and preventive care require more attention and planning, but these healthy habits (and good adherence to treatment regimens) can help people with lung disease continue to do the things they love— even in the middle of a global pandemic. Visit our website 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 on exercise:  Pocket Consultant Guide from the COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Downloads.aspx#MyCOPDActionPlan  COPD Foundation information on pulmonary rehabilitation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Pulmonary-Rehabilitation/What-is-Pulmonary-Rehabilitation.aspx  National Institutes of Health information on pulmonary rehab: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pulmonary-rehabilitation  For more information on nutrition:  Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9451-nutritional-guidelines-for-people-with-copd  Temple Health: https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/5-ways-maintain-healthy-copd-diet  For more information on medications and oxygen therapy for COPD:  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 

For some people, COPD gets worse over time; quitting smoking and lifestyle changes only help so much. So when lung disease gets to a more advanced stage, other interventions are needed. John, Jean and Jan talk about what it's like to use oxygen and how to take your equipment with you on vacation. And Dr. Mina Pirzadeh walks us through lung transplants and other procedures you may never have heard of before. Visit our website links and resources: HealthUnmuted.com List of Resources COPD360Social, social media support group: https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Get-Involved.aspx    For more information about traveling with oxygen:  American Lung Association interactive: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/traveling-with-oxygen  For more information about oxygen therapy:  COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Oxygen-Therapy.aspx  American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy  For more information about lung volume reduction and lung transplants:  COPD Foundation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DgsqYjjjmY  Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/13794-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-lvrs  Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lung-transplant/about/pac-20384754  For more information about alpha one antitrypsin deficiency:  Alpha1 Foundation: https://www.alpha1.org/

COPD is a lifelong condition, but it doesn't have to be a progressive one. The first and best thing someone can do is to quit smoking. Jan and Jean share their experience giving up cigarettes, and we cover the medications, therapies, and healthy lifestyle changes that can help slow or halt the worsening of lung disease. Plus: what babies, opera singers and harmonica players can teach us about breathing. Visit our website links and resources: HealthUnmuted.com For more information about smoking cessation: COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/ US National Quitline: +1-800-QUIT NOW (+1-800-784-8669) Smokefree.gov: https://smokefree.gov/  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm For more information about medications and pulmonary rehab:  COPD Foundation list of treatments and medication: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Treatments-Medications.aspx  COPD Foundation information on pulmonary rehabilitation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Pulmonary-Rehabilitation/What-is-Pulmonary-Rehabilitation.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  For more information about patient or pharmaceutical assistance programs:  RxAssist Patient Assistance Program finder: https://www.rxassist.org/  Medicine Assistance Tool: https://mat.org/ Medicare.gov Pharmaceutical Assistance Program finder: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/states?lang=en&year=2022 American Lung Association list of financial assistance programs: https://www.lung.org/help-support/financial-assistance-programs 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, affects millions of people around the world - and millions more may be undiagnosed. So what exactly is COPD? In this episode, you'll get to know your lungs better, learn about symptoms and causes, risk factors, and more. And you'll meet John and Jan, who share their experiences living with and managing the disease. What is COPD? What symptoms are associated with COPD?  What is a spirometer? How does it confirm a diagnosis of COPD? What resources are available? Visit our website for more information: HealthUnmuted.com For more information about COPD:  COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/ Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679 Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8709-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd National Institutes of Health: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/copd  For one-on-one and community support:  COPD Community Support toll-free support line: +1(866)316-2673  COPD360Social, social media support group: https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Get-Involved.aspx American Lung Association's Better Breathers Club: https://www.lung.org/help-support/better-breathers-club

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, affects millions of people in the US and around the world. It's the name given to a group of different lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It's serious and has no cure, but it's also manageable. We'll get into all of that throughout this series.  We'll speak to those living with COPD, and we'll also speak to those who treat COPD. Each episode looks at a different aspect of COPD from causes and symptoms, to diagnosis and treatment, and how people with COPD can live their life on their terms. This series is not a substitute for a formal medical diagnosis or treatment, and if you have questions, talk to your qualified healthcare provider. Also, don't delay treatment or ignore medical advice because of anything you hear on any podcast. The COPD Podcast is intended to tell the stories of COPD, but most of all it aims to educate, because knowledge is power.  The COPD Podcast is part of Health Unmuted and created in collaboration with the COPD Foundation. Listen and follow this series on your favorite podcast app, and find useful links, references and more information on our website, healthunmuted.com. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and share the COPD Podcast with the people in your life.