Summer • 2013
health
family
Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Walla Walla,
WA
Permit No. 44
Si necesita esta información en español, llame al 800-391-2000.
COPD FLARE-UPS
Listen to your body
S
moke in the air. Pollen in
the wind. A recent cold or
illness.
ese are all things that can
cause problems if you have chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).
COPD is a lung disease
that makes it hard to breathe.
Symptoms that suddenly get worse
could be a sign of a are-up. is
might mean that an infection is
starting.
A are-up can threaten your life.
So be sure to call your doctor right
away if your symptoms get worse.
Get help early. It might help you
avoid serious problems.
Signs of a bad attack include:
Feeling more short of breath than
usual.
Having a cough that gets worse.
TAKE ACTION.
If you need
medical advice and can’t reach
your primary care provider,
call our Advice Nurse Line at
661-632-1590
(Bakersfield)
or
800-391-2000
(outside of
Bakersfield).
Coughing up more mucus than
usual.
Having a hard time coughing
mucus up.
Seeing blood in the mucus.
Hearing wheezing or whistling
when you breathe.
Having cold or u symptoms.
ese might include chills or a fever.
If you are having a are-up, your
doctor may ask you to:
Take an antibiotic to ght an
infection.
Use oxygen to help you breathe.
Use steroids or an inhaler to help
your lungs.
Take certain drugs to make
mucus easier to cough up.
You may never know why COPD
ares up. But you need to know
how to spot problems and what to
do. is can help you feel better.
Sources: American College of Chest Physicians; National Institutes of Health
1 2,3,4,5,6