On the other hand, failure to treat COPD symptoms at all denies you the opportunity to benefit from helpful medications, education, support, and exercise that can extend and improve the quality of life. So, not understanding COPD can cause you to seek not only less care, but perhaps more. Learn more about avoiding acute exacerbations.

Pacing Yourself
Out of all the things you have to deal with when you have COPD, simply getting from here – to there – with breath to spare is probably the most difficult. You may think that the best way to get from your car to the door of the grocery store – or maybe just from your easy chair to the bathroom – is to go as fast as you can, then plop down, poop out, and gasp for breath. Hurrying and rushing will get you into trouble with your breathing every time. Learning to pace is difficult, and it takes practice, but it can be done! We’ll talk more about pacing in an upcoming sharepost.

So yes, what you don’t know can hurt you! But what you do know, can help you. It can help a lot! Learn all you can about COPD, understand it, and you’ll discover ways to breathe easier and get on with your life.

Jane M. Martin is a licensed respiratory therapist, teacher and the founder and director of http://www.Breathingbetterlivingwell.com and author of Breathe Better, Live in Wellness and Live Your Life With COPD, scheduled for release Spring, 2011.