Planning ahead with COPD

COPD is a long-term lung condition that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It makes breathing more difficult because the airways and air sacs in the lungs are damaged.

While COPD cannot be cured, there are treatments that can make you feel better and live well. These include medication, pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and staying active.

Managing COPD long-term

Managing COPD long-term means:

• Looking after yourself (self-management strategies like pacing activities and recognising flare-ups early). We have more information about this on our how to manage your respiratory condition page.
• Taking your medication regularly
• Making lifestyle adjustments (healthy eating, exercise, avoiding triggers)
• Planning ahead (advance care planning, so your wishes for future care are known)

These steps can help manage symptoms, reduce flare-ups, improve quality of life, and ensure your future care matches your wishes.

This can be discussed with your GP, respiratory nurse or consultant.

There is lots of information available about planning your future care on the Leeds Palliative Care Networks: Planning future care

Why is this important?

It is important people with long term conditions such as COPD are in control of their health and future care wishes.

Early discussions with you and your family  can ensure you have the best journey and care throughout your long term condition.

Palliative care is not just end of life support but can help you manage your symptoms and condition at an  earlier stage.  This is important for managing symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue  that can affect you daily.

Type 2 respiratory failure

As COPD advances you may develop type 2 respiratory failure.

The main function of our lungs is to get oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body. Type 2 respiratory failure is when the lungs struggle to remove carbon dioxide from the body.

What are the symptoms of type 2 respiratory failure?

People may experience symptoms including:

• severe headaches (not relieved by pain killers)
• drowsiness
• confusion
• unusual jerking or shaking.

The start of symptoms can be sudden or can happen slowly.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, please seek urgent medical attention.

How is type 2 respiratory failure diagnosed?

Type 2 respiratory failure is diagnosed by a blood test. In the community, we take a small amount of blood from your ear lobe. In hospital, this is usually done by taking the blood from your wrist.

How is type 2 respiratory failure treated?

It is important for those who care for you to know if you have type 2 respiratory failure. Your nurse will discuss this with you.

A flare up of your lung condition can increase the carbon dioxide. You may become unwell and need a hospital admission. Treatment in hospital could be with a mask. This is called non-invasive ventilation (NIV). This mask helps the body get rid of the carbon dioxide. In some cases,  this treatment may be needed long-term at home.