Your doctor is there to help — and wants to see you improve. Partner with him or her by taking an active role in your treatment and care.

Try smoking only half of each cigarette and snuffing it out. You'll have satisfied your craving and smoked only half as much. Try to work down to just a couple of drags each.

'Try, try again,' should be your mantra if you've been unable to quit smoking yet. It's not easy. But with assistance, you can make it. Ask your doctor about innovative ways to quit.

If mucus overproduction is a problem, a program called chest physical therapy is sometimes recommended.

Mechanical devices such as the Flutter® and Acapella® generate intermittent, vibrating energy in the airways, which helps to mobilize mucus secretions. Patients can operate these themselves.

Ask your doctor to recommend breathing exercises you can do in your spare time — at home, in the car, anywhere. You can truly make the most of your time.

See if your local hospital has any special programs geared toward respiratory needs. Your doctor may have helpful information.

Limit outdoor activities during the afternoon and evenings when ground-level ozone is at peak levels.

Stay tuned to air pollution alerts from the local media. During a Stage I alert, conditions could worsen and become hazardous to your health. During a Stage III alert, it is not safe to go outside at all. Stay indoors with your air conditioner on and clean the filters frequently.

To guard against mold, invest in a high-quality ventilation system for your home. Use an outside-vented fan in bathrooms and a dehumidifier in other high-humidity rooms. Clean places where mold likes to grow, such as old flowerpots and shower curtains.

Follow all instructions for using home chemicals such as spray paint and paint strippers. Use them only in well-ventilated areas, replace lids on solvent containers securely, and dispose of saturated rags in a sealed container.

Burning fuel — including firewood, oil, natural gas, kerosene, and coal — releases pollutants. Install carbon monoxide detectors, check to see that your fireplace is in good working condition, have your central heating system inspected annually, and make sure that gas appliances work properly and are vented to the outdoors.

Fitness is all-important — and all relative. COPD sufferers are not training to be professional athletes but, more importantly, to be themselves.

Like when you were a child, lots of baby steps take you farther than one giant step. Pace yourself and enjoy yourself.

The importance of exercise cannot be overstated. Aerobic exercise helps to build a healthy cardiovascular system, which is essential for the delivery of oxygen throughout the body.

Flexibility exercises can help uncramp, or loosen up, the muscles that have become involved in assisted breathing. Talk with your doctor about which exercises may be right for you.

Consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

The phrase, 'You are what you eat' is important to understand, especially for people with chronic disease. Good nutrition is the foundation of effective treatment.

Avoid letting yourself get too hungry. 'Grazing' throughout the day keeps you from 'gorging,' which can lead to breathing difficulty. You could lose weight, too.

Certain foods like cherries, strawberries, and other dark fruits and vegetables are especially helpful for people with COPD.

A balanced diet is especially important for people with chronic disease.

Avoid foods and drinks that produce excess phlegm. Dairy products and fatty, fried foods are particularly troublesome.