
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you’re probably familiar with symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue. These problems can suddenly get worse at times, which is known as a flare-up or exacerbation. At other times, your symptoms may be less noticeable.
While there’s no cure for COPD, some people can achieve what doctors call stable disease. Simply put, this means that with treatment, your symptoms are under control and you haven’t had recent flare-ups or issues.
Because COPD is a condition that tends to get worse over time, it’s hard to get it to become stable and remain that way. But it’s possible to reach a stable disease status at different points during your COPD journey.
How Do Experts Define Stable COPD?
There’s not a uniform definition for stable COPD that applies to all types and levels of the condition. But generally, doctors say you have “stable COPD” if you meet these targets for one to four months:
- Your symptoms don’t worsen.
- You have no flare-ups.
- You don’t require further treatment, like steroids, antibiotics, or hospitalization.
Why Does COPD Stability Matter?
If you have stable COPD, you probably have a better quality of life due to:
- Fewer flare-ups. Symptoms like shortness of breath and cough are under control. That means you can breathe easier and have more energy. With less frequent flare-ups, you may be more active and independent.
- Slower decline. When COPD is stable, your lungs don’t get worse as quickly.
- Lower risk of death. Studies show severe COPD flare-ups are linked to higher death rates. Your survival chances go up if your disease is stable.
- Less health care costs. Fewer flare-ups mean less hospital visits, which can save time and money.
Doctors can also manage and treat your disease in a more personal way. Your health care team can figure out which treatments worked to get you stable. Also, they can plan future therapies and compare your lung function scores over time.
How Does COPD Progress?
COPD is a progressive disease, which means it gradually gets worse. You can slow the process, but you can’t stop it.
Doctors may classify COPD into grades based on symptoms and lung function. For example, they might use this scale that measures breathlessness:
- Grade 0. You only get breathless with strenuous exercise. You may not realize you have COPD at this stage.
- Grade 1. You feel out of breath when you walk up a slight hill or when you walk quickly.
- Grade 2. You have to stop for breath while walking even when you’re not climbing a hill. You walk more slowly than most other people of your age.
- Grade 3. You need to stop for breath every few minutes or after walking 100 meters (328 feet) on a level surface.
- Grade 4. You get breathless when you dress or undress, or are too breathless to leave your home.
The rate at which COPD progresses varies from person to person. Some people live for many years with only mild symptoms. Others see faster changes.
COPD can develop slowly, but as it advances, your symptoms get worse. If you’re diagnosed and treated at an early stage, your outlook is better.
How Can You Achieve Stable COPD?
To achieve stable COPD, you need to carefully follow your medical treatment plan and make some lifestyle changes. Here are some ways to improve your odds of stability:
- Take your meds as prescribed. This includes long-acting inhalers you may use.
- Avoid triggers. Some common irritants are smoke of any kind, extreme temperatures, perfumes, dust, cleaning products, pollen, and air pollution. Infections like a cold or the flu can also trigger COPD symptoms.
- Take care of your mental health. Too much stress or anxiety could lead to a flare-up.
- Get vaccinated. Get your shots for flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia. Respiratory infections can trigger COPD symptoms and flare-ups.
- Try pulmonary rehab. This is a program in which therapists teach you breathing techniques, exercises, and nutrition tips.
- Exercise regularly. Consistent physical activity can improve your lung function.
- Follow a balanced diet. Good nutrition helps to support your immune system and improve energy levels. Also, a diet that includes fewer carbohydrates and more fat may help you breathe better.
- Monitor your symptoms. Track any changes and report them to your doctor.
- See your doctor regularly. You’ll need frequent lung function tests to assess your condition.
What Are Your Chances of Having Stable COPD?
Even if you give it your best shot, it’s often difficult to get your COPD to become and stay stable. That’s because COPD is an unpredictable disease that usually worsens over time.
It can also be tough to manage treatments, which may include multiple medications and inhalers. And it’s not always easy to avoid common triggers like pollen and weather changes.
But stability is possible, even if it’s for a period of time here or there. The exact figures on how many people reach stable disease vary. In one study, researchers found about 60% of those with mild-to-moderate COPD were able to keep their symptoms stable for one year.
How Do You Manage Stable COPD?
If you have stable COPD, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep it that way. That means you should manage your condition by doing the same things you did to become stable:
- Avoid any triggers.
- Get your recommended vaccines.
- Eat healthy, and exercise.
- Keep all your medical and pulmonary rehab appointments.
You’ll probably still take your same medications even if your disease is controlled. If you don’t already take one, your doctor may suggest a long-acting bronchodilator, a medicine that opens up the airways in your lungs. In some cases, you may be able to discontinue certain medicines. But always talk to your doctor first.
What Questions Should You Ask Your Doctor?
Life with COPD can be a challenge, even if you achieve stability. You never know when you might have breathing issues. Here are some questions you might ask your doctor about managing COPD:
- What lifestyle changes do I need to make to help me reach COPD stability or remain stable?
- Do I need any vaccinations?
- Do I need to add any medicines to my treatment regimen to improve my condition?
- What are some exercises I can do to strengthen my lungs?
- Is pulmonary rehab an option for me?
- Are there any other ways that I can improve my chances of stability?
When to Seek Medical Care
Flare-ups can strike out of nowhere and become a medical emergency. Symptoms of a COPD flare-up can last two days or longer and tend to be more intense than your usual breathing issues. If you have a severe exacerbation, you may have to go to the hospital.
Seek medical care if you have these symptoms:
- Your breathing is difficult and you can’t take a deep breath.
- You need to lean forward when sitting in order to breathe.
- You have frequent headaches.
- You feel like you use your muscles around your ribs when you breathe.
- You feel confused or very tired.
- You have a fever.
- You cough up dark mucus.
- Your fingertips, fingernails, or lips turn blue.
- You have chest pain.
- You can’t speak in full sentences.
Life With Stable COPD
People with stable COPD have a better quality of life than those with unstable disease. But there can still be physical and emotional challenges. For example, you may worry about when your symptoms will get worse again.
Here are some strategies that may help:
- Join a COPD support group. These groups help you connect with others who have the condition. You can learn from people who have been managing COPD for a while and get emotional support. In-person and online options are available.
- Get help. If sadness or stress weighs you down, a mental health professional can provide you with treatment options or other helpful strategies.
- Create a comfortable living space. Make sure your home is free of dust, smoke, strong odors, and other triggers.
- Practice stress-busting activities. Yoga and meditation are good ways to relax. As a bonus, some studies have shown yoga may improve lung function in people with COPD.
- Get enough rest. Poor sleep can worsen symptoms of COPD.
- Watch for warning signs. Stay on top of your health, and report any new symptoms to your doctor right away.
The Bottom Line
COPD is a disease that worsens over time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t slow it down. With the right medical treatment and healthy lifestyle changes, you can achieve stability. When your disease is stable, your overall health and well-being improve. Talk to your doctor about ways to help you reach stability.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock
SOURCES:
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