COPD: Prevention

Do not smoke: the best way to protect yourself from COPD is to quit smoking. By refusing to smoke, you slow down the damage to your lungs. Today, there are many ways to quit smoking. Quitting smoking is especially important if you have a low level of antitrypsin alpha 1 protein.

Avoid contaminated air: other respiratory irritants (such as contaminated air, chemical vapor, and dust) can also exacerbate COPD symptoms.

[caption id="attachment_597" align="aligncenter" width="345"] COPD Prevention[/caption]

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  Prevention of other diseases

  
  

Influenza vaccination: if you have COPD, you need an annual flu vaccination. Patients with COPD are more prone to complications, such as pneumonia, so vaccination will reduce this risk. In addition, vaccination will reduce the risk of sudden exacerbations of COPD.

Vaccination of pneumonia: People with COPD often get pneumonia, so pneumococcal vaccine will reduce this risk.