COPD Support

Talking to Your Healthcare Team

When you’re living with COPD, it’s normal to have questions or concerns.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing your condition for a while, speaking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can make a big difference to how you feel and how well your COPD is managed.

You should never feel like you’re bothering anyone — your healthcare team is there to support you.

When should I talk to my doctor, nurse or pharmacist about my COPD?

There’s no wrong time to reach out for support. You might want to speak to your medical team if:

You want to know more about support or treatment options¹

You’ve been experiencing persistent symptoms such as a cough or breathlessness^2,3

You’re thinking about cutting down or stopping smoking⁴

You’re unsure about your inhaler technique or medication schedule⁵

You’re interested in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)⁶

You’ve been feeling anxious, low or isolated¹

You want to talk about your future and what to expect with COPD¹

All of these are important. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, try using your discussion list to note things down ahead of your appointment.

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

What should I talk about?

When you speak with your healthcare team, think about your COPD in two main areas:

Physical symptoms

Let them know how COPD affects your body day to day. This might include:²

Feeling short of breath during everyday tasks
A long-lasting cough or wheezing
Coughing up more mucus (phlegm)
Symptoms that worsen during infections or when exposed to smoke or fumes

Emotional impact

It’s just as important to talk about how COPD makes you feel emotionally. You might:¹

Worry about flare-ups or being unable to breathe
Avoid socialising because of your symptoms
Feel frustrated, isolated or misunderstood
Struggle with poor sleep or low mood
Feel overwhelmed by your treatment or need for support

You are not alone — these feelings are common, and your medical team wants to help.

It’s OK to talk about how you’re feeling about COPD

Some people with COPD feel embarrassed, ashamed or worry about being judged. But remember, you deserve the same care and compassion as anyone with a health condition. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.^1,7 Low mood, anxiety and depression are more common in people living with COPD — and they can make it harder to manage your symptoms. If you’re struggling, talk to your GP or nurse. They may recommend support such as:¹

Counselling

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Medication or lifestyle advice

Use your discussion list to help you remember key points to raise.

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

What to expect from a respiratory and COPD specialist

You may be referred to a respiratory specialist (also known as a pulmonologist). They are experts in lung conditions and can help diagnose COPD, review your treatment, and offer more specialised support.⁸ They may carry out tests, such as:⁹

Spirometry Blowing into a machine to check your lung function

Chest X-rays or blood tests To rule out other conditions

BMI check To assess your weight and how it may be affecting your lungs

Oxygen level tests To see if you need oxygen therapy

General health checks Including heart rate, blood pressure and temperature

They may also ask about:⁹

Your symptoms and how often they flare up

How breathlessness affects your daily life

Your smoking history

Exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals at work

Any childhood chest problems or other health conditions

A respiratory specialist will also help manage your treatment plan, including reviewing your medicines and referring you for additional support like pulmonary rehab or oxygen therapy.⁹

Topic already on your list

Add to Discussion List

Feeling nervous? That’s normal

Meeting a specialist for the first time can feel overwhelming. To help you feel more confident:

Think about what you want to ask or find out

Use your discussion list to jot down symptoms, questions or concerns

Bring a friend or family member for support, if that helps

Don’t be afraid to ask the same question more than once

Your appointments are your time to get the help you need — make them work for you.

Healthcare team could include a GP, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, dietitian, occupational therapist, counsellor and stop smoking advisor.

Abbreviations:

BMI, body mass index; CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GP, general practitioner; PR, pulmonary rehabilitation.

References:

Asthma + Lung UK. Looking after your mental health and well-being. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/mental-health/looking-after. Accessed November 2025.
Asthma + Lung UK. What is COPD? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/what-copd. Accessed November 2025.
NHS. Living with COPD. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/living-with/. Accessed November 2025.
Asthma + Lung UK. How can I quit smoking. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/quit. Accessed November 2025.
Asthma + Lung UK. Medications for COPD. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/medications-copd. Accessed November 2025.
Asthma + Lung UK. Pulmonary rehabilitation. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/keeping-active/pulmonary-rehabilitation. Accessed November 2025.
WebMD. Talking to your family and friends about COPD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/copd-family-friends. Accessed November 2025.
Cambridge Dictionary. Pulmonologist. Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pulmonologist. Accessed November 2025.
Asthma + Lung UK. How is COPD diagnosed? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/how-copd-diagnosed. Accessed November 2025.

COPD Support

When you’re living with COPD, it’s normal to have questions or concerns.

When should I talk to my doctor, nurse or pharmacist about my COPD?

All of these are important. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, try using your discussion list to note things down ahead of your appointment.