Breathe Easy: Understanding COPD and how to protect your lungs

Have you ever had trouble catching your breath after walking up the stairs or being active? For some people, that feeling does not go away. This could be a sign of COPD.COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a sickness that makes it hard to breathe, but the good news is that there are ways to help prevent it and spot it early.

COPD happens when the lungs get damaged over time. It can make it hard for air to move in and out, so people may feel like they cannot take a full breath. The most common cause is smoking. Other causes include air pollution, dust and chemicals that hurt the lungs.

When someone has COPD, they might have chronic bronchitis, which causes a long lasting cough and excessive mucus. They may also have Emphysema, which damages the tiny air sacs that bring oxygen into the blood.

Managing chronic health diseases, like COPD, is hard. If you suffer from COPD, Aetna Better Health® of Illinois provides care management resources. Our care management team can help you get the care you need to stay healthy. They’ll teach you about chronic conditions and share tips to help you manage your symptoms and feel your best. Call our care management team at 1-866-329-4701 (TTY: 711) to learn more. You care manager can help you:

• Get services and care, including information on how to get referrals to special facilities for highly specialized care
• Work with your health care providers and organizations 
• Learn more about your symptoms •
• Access services for crisis situations after normal business hours 
• Arrange services for children with special health care needs, such as well-child care, health promotion, disease prevention and specialty care services

They can also talk with you about your treatment. You might get a prescription for oxygen or other medicine that is needed. If you smoke, your care manager can help you make a plan to quit, too!

Before you seek support, it helps to know the early signs of COPD so you can get help as soon as possible. Remember, COPD starts slowly, and many people don’t realize they have it at first. Watch for these signs: 

• Feeling short of breath often
• A cough that will not go away
• Coughing up mucus
• Wheezing
• Feeling tired all the time

If you notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. The sooner COPD is found, the easier it is to manage. You can also do a lot to protect your lungs and lower your risk of getting COPD! Here are a few simple steps:

•  Don’t smoke. This is the most important step. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. 
• Avoid secondhand smoke. Stay away from places where people are smoking.
• Breathe clean air. Try not to be around dust, strong fumes or pollution. You can also check your smart phone for the air quality. 
• Eat healthy and stay active. Exercise helps your lungs and body stay strong.
• Get checkups. If you ever feel short of breath or have a constant cough, get it checked out early.

Your lungs help you do everything—from talking and laughing to running and playing. Taking care of them now means breathing easier later. Remember: Don’t smoke, stay active and talk to your doctor if something feels off. Your lungs will thank you!