COPD cannot be cured. Once you have COPD, it does not get better, but taking good care of yourself is the best way to keep it from getting worse. The best way to take care of yourself is to avoid things that may have caused the COPD, such as tobacco smoke or exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals at the workplace. This will give you the greatest chance of stopping the disease from getting worse.

If you smoke, quit. Follow your doctor's advice for treating COPD. Take all of your medicine according to your doctor's instructions. Avoid secondhand smoke, air pollution, and extreme changes in temperature and humidity. Ask about getting flu and pneumonia shots. Avoid close contact with people who have colds or the flu. Eat healthy foods. Be as active as you comfortably can. Get plenty of rest and sleep. Consider lifestyle changes such as changing jobs or moving to a less polluted climate or lower altitude. If you plan to travel, discuss your plans with your doctor. It's good to make sure there will be no problems with high altitude, humidity, temperature, pressurized airplane cabins, or smoggy cities, especially if you are using oxygen.

An exacerbation is a worsening of the usual symptoms of COPD. You, or sometimes a family member, are usually the first to know when your lung disease is getting worse. Watch for shortness of breath, more coughing, chest tightness, an increase in sputum, a change in sputum color, new or worsening wheezing, or a fever.

Any one of these symptoms might be a warning sign. An exacerbation is when any 2 of these things are happening. If you can catch these changes really early, you may be able to prevent a trip to the hospital. Ask your doctor for instructions on what to do when you have these symptoms.

Call your doctor if you have chest pain, fever, thick or colored sputum, blood in your cough, worsening shortness of breath or shortness of breath when you are resting.
It is important to know the difference between earlier signs and symptoms of sickness and the signs of an emergency. You are in an emergency situation if you have chest pain, feel like you are going to die, can’t talk or walk, if your lips turn gray or blue, if your heart is beating very fast, if you are breathing very fast or hard, or if your medicine does not help you.

Call 911 to get emergency help right away. Do not turn up your oxygen unless your doctor tells you to do this.

85% of COPD cases are caused by tobacco smoke. This includes the smokers themselves and people who are exposed to secondhand smoke. In most cases you can prevent COPD by never smoking and not being around others who are smoking.