What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Sticking to a treatment plan that includes a maintenance medicine and lifestyle changes can help make your COPD symptoms more manageable.
COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it harder to breathe. It includes two components: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. You could have one of these, or both.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
Shortness or shallowness of breath
An ongoing “smoker's cough” that produces mucus
Chest tightness
Wheezing or whistling when you breathe
COPD symptoms can seem like other conditions that make breathing difficult. These conditions include the common cold, flu, respiratory infection, and even pneumonia. But unlike these conditions, COPD doesn't go away after a few days or weeks.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A FLARE-UP?
COPD is a disease that can get worse over time, which means that symptoms can turn into something called a flare-up or exacerbation. It’s important to know what can cause a flare-up and what you can do to help guard against them. STIOLTO RESPIMAT contains tiotropium, which has been shown to help significantly reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Most flare-ups are caused by a lung infection like the common cold, so germs are a threat. Other causes, called triggers, can irritate your lungs and cause flare-ups.
Some of the most common triggers to avoid are:
Weather that is very hot, very cold, or very humid
Pollution outside from smog and ozone, or inside from tobacco smoke and wood-burning fires
Household cleaning products with bleach or ammonia
Allergies to dust, animals, or pets
You can control your COPD symptoms by taking a maintenance therapy like STIOLTO RESPIMAT every day.
Ask your doctor if STIOLTO RESPIMAT is right for you.
