Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor for Effective COPD Management
To effectively manage your COPD and improve your quality of life, you should ask your doctor specific questions about your condition, symptoms, treatment options, and disease progression. 1
Questions About Your COPD Status and Severity
- What is my current COPD severity based on spirometry results? (Ask for your FEV1/FVC ratio and FEV1 percentage predicted) 1
- What is my mMRC dyspnea score (0-4) and what does it mean for my daily activities? 1
- How many exacerbations have I had in the past year, and how does this impact my treatment plan? 1
- What is my BODE index score (or similar composite measure) and what does it indicate about my prognosis? 1
- Do I have any comorbidities that might be affecting my COPD symptoms or treatment? 1
Questions About Symptom Management
- Are my current symptoms (breathlessness, cough, sputum production) well-controlled with my current treatment? 1
- What changes in symptoms should prompt me to contact you immediately? 1
- How can I distinguish between normal day-to-day symptom variation and the beginning of an exacerbation? 1
- What is the proper technique for using my inhalers? Can you review this with me? 1
- Should I be monitoring my symptoms with any specific tools or diaries? 1
Questions About Medications and Treatment
- Are my current medications (bronchodilators, corticosteroids) the most appropriate for my COPD severity? 2
- Should I be using a single bronchodilator or dual therapy (LABA and LAMA)? 2
- What are the potential side effects of my medications that I should watch for? 2
- Do I need to be on inhaled corticosteroids based on my exacerbation history? 2
- How often should I use my rescue inhaler, and when should I be concerned about increased use? 1
Questions About Exacerbation Management
- What is my personal action plan if I experience worsening symptoms? 1
- Do I need to keep rescue medications at home for exacerbations? 1
- When should I start antibiotics or oral steroids during an exacerbation? 1
- At what point should I go to the emergency room during an exacerbation? 1
- Would a home-based management program be appropriate for me if I have an exacerbation? 1
Questions About Lifestyle and Self-Management
- What type of exercise is safe and beneficial for my COPD severity? 1
- Would I benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation? 1
- How can I improve my nutrition to maintain a healthy weight with COPD? 1
- What breathing techniques should I practice to manage breathlessness? 1
- How can I reduce my risk of respiratory infections? 1
Questions About Disease Progression and Monitoring
- How often should I have spirometry tests to monitor my lung function? 1
- What other tests should I have regularly to monitor my COPD (oxygen levels, CT scans)? 1
- What can I do to slow the progression of my COPD? 1
- Should I be concerned about my oxygen levels, and do I need oxygen therapy? 1
- How often should we reassess my treatment plan? 1
Important Considerations
- Always bring a list of all current medications (including non-COPD medications) to your appointments
- Consider keeping a symptom diary between visits to accurately report changes
- Ask about vaccination recommendations (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19) for COPD patients
- Discuss smoking cessation strategies if you're still smoking
- Inquire about support groups or additional resources for COPD patients
By asking these specific questions, you'll gain a better understanding of your condition and work more effectively with your healthcare provider to manage your COPD and improve your quality of life.