This document provides information about COPD flare ups and how to manage them. It discusses common irritants that can cause flare ups like smoking, infections, air pollution, and weather changes. It recommends keeping a diary to identify personal irritants and avoiding them when possible. During flare ups, it advises trying rescue medications, pursed-lip breathing, and seeking medical help for severe or persistent symptoms. It also stresses the importance of getting flu and pneumonia vaccines to prevent respiratory infections that may worsen COPD.

1. Welcome to
Pulmonary Rehab
Irritants
Babette Parthum, RRT
Clinical Coordinator
Respiratory Therapy

2. ● Discuss some possible irritants to a
person with COPD
● What can cause a flare up and how to
avoid these flare ups.
● What to do during a flare up
● When to seek medical attention
● How to stay healthy during flu season.
Objectives

3. Learn Your Personal COPD Irritants
● Smoking, or being around smoke
● Infections, such as a cold or the flu
● Strong fumes, such as perfumes
● Air pollution
● Weather changes
● Very cold or very humid air
● Stress and anxiety

4. Keep a diary of what causes your
COPD flare ups.
● Where were you when your symptoms got
worse?
● What were you doing when your symptoms
got worse?
● What were the symptoms that got worse?
● Were there any new symptoms?
● What did you do to reduce your symptoms?
● What can you do to avoid this irritant in the
future?

5. How can you avoid flare ups and keep
your COPD under control?
● Do not smoke! Stay away from places
where people are smoking.
● Stay away from people who are sick with a
cold, sore throat, flu, or pneumonia. Speak
with your doctor about getting the flu and
pneumonia vaccine.
● Try not to sit in traffic (exhaust fumes) or go
outside if there are air pollution alerts (IE
marsh fires)

6. ● In cold weather, cover your mouth and
nose with a scarf. Try to breathe
through your nose.
● In hot, humid weather, stay indoors in
an air-conditioned room.
● Don’t breathe in fumes from perfumes,
paint, or cleaning products.
● Learn ways to relax and manage stress.
Try deep breathing or yoga.

7. You may not always be able to avoid your risks.
What should you do if your COPD symptoms get
worse:
● Try to get away from the irritant.
● Take your rescue medication as ordered by your
physician.
● Perform pursed-lip breathing exercises to help reduce
shortness of breath:
○ Sit in a chair upright
○ Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 2
○ Purse (pucker) your lips as if you were going to blow
out a candle and breathe out slowly for a count of 4.
○ Repeat as needed.

8. When should you seek medical attention?
● When you are getting a bad cold or chest infection.
● When you have a productive cough with yellow or
green mucus.
● When you are using more puffs than usual of your
rescue inhalers.
● When you feel like your medicine is not working as
well as it normally does.
● When you are having a very hard time breathing.
● When you are coughing up blood.
● When you have sudden shortness of breath with or
without chest pain.

9. What happens when you have COPD &
get a respiratory infection?
● Having an infection can make your COPD
symptoms worse. You may experience
○ More shortness of breath
○ Chest tightness
○ More coughing and/or more mucus than usual
○ Fever
Call your physician if you have any of these
symptoms. You may need your medicine changed
or need an antibiotic to help fight the infection.

10. Pneumonia and COPD
● Pneumonia is a serious disease especially for
people with COPD.
● COPD patient’s already have weakened lungs.
● Pneumonia can cause:
○ The lungs to fill with mucus and other fluids.
■This makes it hard for oxygen to reach the
blood
●Which causes the body to not function the
way it should.

11. Take steps to avoid getting the flu
and pneumonia.
● Take the flu shot every year in October or
November (just before flu season begins)
● The people you live with should get the flu shot
too. This will decrease your chance of getting
the flu.
● Avoid crowds during flu season.
● Wash your hands often and do not touch your
face.
● Talk to your physician about getting the
pneumonia shot too.

12. Conclusion
● Begin to think about what your irritants are that
cause your COPD to flare up.
● Keep a diary of your flare ups and share it with
your physician.
● When possible, avoid the irritants that cause your
COPD to flare up.
● Seek medical attention when needed. Do not
wait until it is too late.
● Avoid people who are sick and stay away from
crowds during flu season. If possible get your flu
and/or pneumonia shot.

13. References
● American Lung Association
● COPD Foundation