{"id":1875,"date":"2024-08-02T11:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-02T01:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=article&p=1875"},"modified":"2024-08-02T14:43:07","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T04:43:07","slug":"how-to-use-a-copd-action-plan","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/blog\/how-to-use-a-copd-action-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use a COPD Action Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

A COPD Action Plan<\/span> helps<\/span> you take<\/span> care of your <\/span>COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). <\/span>You f<\/span>ill it <\/span>out with your GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse.<\/span> It tells you what medicines to take every day to keep your <\/span>usual COPD <\/span>symptoms under control. It also<\/span> helps you know <\/span>what to do if you start feeling worse and when to <\/span>see your doctor or call an ambulance<\/span>. <\/span>It’s<\/span> important to review this plan with your <\/span>GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse<\/span> regularly to make sure <\/span>it’s<\/span> still right for you<\/span>.<\/span> Here are 10 steps to help you <\/span>use<\/span> your COPD Action Plan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: Fill out a COPD Action Plan with your GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse<\/span><\/h4>\n

Ask your GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse to fill out a written COPD Action Plan with you.<\/span><\/span> You can download or print a blank copy of a COPD Action Plan <\/span><\/span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span> To get started, it <\/span>may <\/span>help to talk about any past flare-ups you had. Share what happened <\/span>in the lead up to<\/span> the flare-up, what symptoms you felt, how it affected you, and what medicines you took<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Understand <\/span>your plan<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Make sure you know what each part of your plan means and how to use <\/span>it.<\/span> Ask your doctor or nurse if <\/span>anything is unclear or if <\/span>you have any questions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: Follow <\/span>the plan for your usual COPD symptoms<\/span><\/h4>\n

The green section of the COPD Action Plan <\/span>tells you<\/span> the steps to follow every day for <\/span>your usual COPD symptoms<\/span> Talk to<\/span> your GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse <\/span>about how to <\/span>manage your usual <\/span>COPD <\/span>symptoms. <\/span><\/span>In the green section of the Action Plan, write down your <\/span>daily<\/span> COPD medicines, and when and how to take them.<\/span> This is your plan for when you have your usual COPD symptoms.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 4: Keep track of your symptoms<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Regularly note how <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> feeling and any changes in your symptoms<\/span>. <\/span>This helps you recogni<\/span>s<\/span>e patterns and respond quickly if things change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step <\/span>5<\/span>: <\/span>Use <\/span>the<\/span> plan to<\/span> help<\/span> manage flare-ups<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Pay attention to how you feel. Know the steps to take if you notice your symptoms worsening.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The yellow section of the Action Plan can help you recognise the early signs of a flare-up. Y<\/span>our GP, specialist or nurse can <\/span>w<\/span>rite down any extra medicines they suggest you use if you are feeling unwell.\u202f<\/span>The sooner you get treatment, the better you will recover.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The orange and red sections of the COPD Action Plan tell you what to do for worsening symptoms. It helps you know when to call your GP or when to call an ambulance for urgent help.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 6: Be prepared with extra flare-up medicines\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Your GP, specialist or nurse may provide prescriptions for any extra medicines you need to<\/span> take<\/span> during a flare-up<\/span>. Keep these medicines in a safe<\/span> place<\/span> near your COPD Action Plan. If you are travelling, remember to take your COPD Action Plan and extra medicines with you.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 7: Keep <\/span>your plan<\/span> handy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Always have your Action Plan with you or in <\/span>a <\/span>place <\/span>where you can easily find it <\/span>at home, like on the fridge<\/span>. This way, you can <\/span>quickly <\/span>refer to it when needed.<\/span> Read your COPD Action Plan regularly to remind yourself of the steps to follow for your usual symptoms and if your symptoms worsen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 8: Review regularly<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Review<\/span> your <\/span>Action P<\/span>lan with your <\/span>GP, specialist<\/span> or nurse <\/span>each year<\/span>, <\/span>or whenever you <\/span>notice changes in your <\/span>symptoms<\/span> or after a flare-up<\/span>. Always take your COPD Action Plan to doctor appointments or if you are admitted to hospital. <\/span>W<\/span><\/span>rite the date <\/span>when you update the plan<\/span> with your GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse<\/span> on the Action Plan<\/span>. <\/span>Remember to<\/span> throw away old<\/span> versions of your<\/span> Action Plan to <\/span>avoid<\/span> confusion<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Step 9: Get support<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

You can use the plan to keep a record of your symptoms<\/span>, the <\/span>medicines you use<\/span>, and any changes in your health<\/span>.<\/span> Share this with your GP, <\/span>specialist<\/span> or nurse during appointments to <\/span>help<\/span> guide decisions about your care.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A COPD Action Plan helps you take care of your COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). You fill it out with your GP, specialist or nurse.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3099,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","condition":[9],"user_category":[31],"article_category":[191,197],"class_list":["post-1875","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","condition-copd","user_category-patient","article_category-blog","article_category-symptom-management"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to use a COPD Action Plan - Lung Foundation Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/blog\/how-to-use-a-copd-action-plan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to use a COPD Action Plan - Lung Foundation Australia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A COPD Action Plan helps you take care of your COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 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If you don\u2019t have a current COPD Action Plan, click here<\/a> and ask your health professional to complete it with you.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"