Action Plan for People with COPD
WHEN YOU FEEL WELL BECOME AWARE OF:
- How much you can do
- What your appetite is like
- How well you sleep
- How much mucus you produce and it’s colour
ACTION
- Have something to look forward to each day
- Plan ahead – allow enough time to do things
- Exercise every day but pace yourself
- Eat a well balanced diet
- Have an adequate intake of fluid
- Avoid factors which make you worse
- Always have enough medication available
- Work out a medication action plan with your GP
WORSENING SYMPTOMS LOOK FOR:
- Reduction in your energy for daily activities
- More breathless or wheezy than usual
- Loss of appetite
- Increased tiredness and poor sleep
- Changes in the amount and / or colour of your mucus.
ACTION
- Phone or visit your doctor
- Follow your medication action plan
- Reschedule your day – allow more time for activities
- Get plenty of rest and use relaxation techniques
- Use controlled breathing techniques
- Huff and cough to clear mucus as required
- Eat small amounts often
If you are NOT improving
Symptoms becoming MORE Severe
Contact your doctor URGENTLY
Follow your MEDICATION action plan
DANGER SIGNS
- Shortness of breath at rest
- Chest pains
- High fever
- Feelings of agitation
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
ACTION - CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE - DIAL 000
CONTINUE TAKING YOUR RELIEVER MEDICATIONSHAVE SOMEONE NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR IF POSSIBLE