Some patients do not believe that they have COPD and therefore do not believe that they need inhalers. Usually patients have these beliefs because they do not attribute the symptoms that they have to COPD. The range of COPD symptoms includes: coughing, phlegm in chest. chest tightness, feeling breathless when they walk up stairs or a hill, reduced ability to do activities at home, not feeling confident to leave the house, poor sleep, reduced energy.
Having COPD can affect the patient's overall quality of life (QoL), but these symptoms and associated QoL can be improved with regular long term (for a few months) use of long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)/Long acting muscarinic agents (LAMAs)/steroids (in combination with LABA/LAMA). [*Note that long acting muscarinic agents (LAMAs) are also known as long acting anticholinergic agents (LAACs), LAMAs will be used in this module].
Therefore, it is important for providers to help patients understand which of their other symptoms are due to COPD. These symptoms can also be improved by regular use of their LABAs/LAMAs/Steroids (in combination). This will help them believe that they do have COPD, and that they need their inhalers (it is not just about the breathing).