Learning About COPD Triggers

What are COPD triggers?

When you have COPD, certain things can make your symptoms worse. These things are called triggers. Avoiding triggers can help you to keep your symptoms under control and reduce the impact of COPD on your life.

Common COPD triggers include:

• Illnesses like colds, flu, or pneumonia.
• Tobacco smoke or air pollution.
• Factory dust or soot.
• Fumes from cleaning supplies or other chemicals.
• Smoke and fumes from woodstoves or kerosene home heaters.
• Things you are allergic to, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet hair.

Not all people have the same triggers. What may cause symptoms in one person may not be a problem for another person.

How do triggers affect COPD?

Triggers can make it harder for your lungs to work as they should and can lead to sudden difficulty breathing and other symptoms. When you are around a trigger, a COPD flare-up is more likely. If your symptoms are severe, you may need emergency treatment or have to go to the hospital for treatment.

If you know what your triggers are, you can try to avoid them. If this is possible, you may be able to reduce how often you have flare-ups and how much COPD affects your life.

How can you manage a flare-up?

Do not panic if you start to have a COPD flare-up.

If you have a COPD action plan, follow the plan. In general:

• Use your quick-relief inhaler as directed by your doctor. If your symptoms do not get better after you use your medicine, call your doctor or seek immediate medical care. Call an ambulance if needed.
• Use your inhaler or nebulizer correctly. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist how to use each of your inhalers or nebulizers.
• If your doctor has given you other inhaled medicines or steroid pills, take them as directed.
• Use a breathing technique, such as pursed-lip breathing. This may help you breathe easier during a flare-up.
• If your doctor has given you a prescription for an antibiotic, fill it if you need to.
• Call your doctor if you have to use your antibiotic or steroid pills.

How can you avoid COPD triggers?

The first thing is to know your triggers.

When you are having symptoms, note the things around you that might be causing them. Then look for patterns in what may be triggering your symptoms. When you have your list of possible triggers, work with your doctor to find ways to avoid them.

Here are some ways to avoid a few common triggers.

• Avoid infections such as COVID-19, colds, and the flu.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • You may want to wear a mask when you go to public indoor places.
  • Try to avoid sick people.
• Stay up to date on vaccines. This includes getting a flu vaccine every year.
• If you smoke, try to quit. If you can't quit, cut back as much as you can. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines.
• If there is a lot of pollution, pollen, or dust outside, try to stay inside and keep your windows closed. Use an air conditioner or air filter if you can. Check your local weather report for air quality and pollen reports.
• Talk to your doctor about ways to protect yourself if you are exposed to other things that irritate your lungs at home or work.