Struggling to breathe can make everyday tasks difficult, but there are ways to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here are seven things you can do today and every day to manage your COPD and avoid flare-ups.

Track your triggers so you can avoid them. Triggers are environmental irritants that can affect your COPD symptoms. Some common triggers are pollution, dust, and secondhand smoke. Take note of irritants that worsen your symptoms and try to minimize your exposure to them. Avoiding triggers can help you manage your COPD and reduce your risk of flare-ups.
Know the warning signs of a flare-up. A flare-up is a sudden worsening of your COPD symptoms that requires additional treatment and could lead to hospitalization. Treating it early is key to minimizing complications. Signs of a flare-up include shortness of breath, more coughing than usual, fatigue, and increased mucus. If you notice signs that your symptoms are becoming worse, call your doctor.