From the Guidelines
COPD is a sickness that makes it hard for people to breathe, and it's like having a big balloon in your lungs that won't blow up all the way, so it's hard to get air in and out. Imagine you're trying to blow up a balloon, but it's really hard because the air keeps getting stuck - that's kind of what it feels like for people with COPD when they try to breathe. Their lungs get a little mixed up and have too much yucky stuff inside, which makes it hard for the air to get in and out. This usually happens to grown-ups who have breathed in bad air for a long time, like from cigarettes 1. People with COPD often cough a lot and get tired quickly when they play or run.
What happens to people with COPD
- They have trouble breathing
- They cough a lot
- They get tired easily
- They might need to use special medicines to help them breathe better Doctors can help people with COPD feel better with special medicines that come in inhalers, which are like little spray bottles that put medicine right into their lungs 1. These medicines help open up the breathing tubes so more air can get in and out. Some people might need to carry a special tube that gives them extra air to breathe.
How to stay healthy with COPD
- Stay away from smoky places
- Take the medicines the doctor gives
- Try to stay active and play, but not too much because it can make you tired It's also very important for people with COPD to go to the doctor regularly and follow their treatment plan to help manage their symptoms and prevent their condition from getting worse 1. COPD doesn't go away completely, but the medicines and taking care of yourself can help people breathe better and play more.
From the Research
What is COPD
- COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is a condition that affects the lungs and makes it hard to breathe 2, 3, 4.
- It's like having a big ol' hug for your lungs that doesn't go away, making it difficult to get air in and out.
How Does it Feel
- Imagine you're playing outside and you get really tired, but you can't catch your breath no matter how hard you try 3.
- That's kind of what it feels like to have COPD, but instead of just being tired, it's like your lungs are tired all the time.
What Can Help
- There are special medicines that can help make breathing easier, like inhalers that can open up the airways in the lungs 4.
- Doctors can also prescribe oxygen therapy to help people with COPD get more oxygen into their bodies 2.
- Exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation can also help people with COPD feel better and breathe easier 3.