If you just quit smoking, you’ll be coughing up phlegm for a few weeks. It’s normal and should clear up on its own.
But if you have COPD, you’ll be coughing up mucus for longer. This is because you’re not able to cough up the mucus as much as someone who doesn’t have COPD.
It’s important to manage your symptoms to keep them from worsening. This can be done by:
- Staying indoors
- Taking a short walk each day
- Drinking plenty of water and other fluids
- Using a humidifier at home
- Getting enough sleep
Quitting smoking can also help you feel better in the long term.
Stopping smoking cold turkey can be dangerous. You’ll have more difficulty breathing and cough up more mucus if you do it too quickly.
If you want to go cold turkey, talk to your doctor. They may recommend a temporary cessation program.
You can also quit smoking in a way that’s safer and easier on your lungs.
Will quitting smoking improve my COPD?
There’s a lack of high-quality research on the effects of quitting smoking on COPD.
If you want to quit smoking, talk to your doctor. They can suggest a plan that’s right for you.
If you have a COPD diagnosis, quitting smoking can reduce your symptoms. If you don’t have COPD, quitting smoking may not improve your symptoms.
If you’re interested in quitting, it’s important to discuss your plan with your doctor. They can help you understand what to expect.
If you want to quit smoking, consider quitting for a few weeks. Then stay away from your old habits for a few more weeks.
You can have a plan in place that you and your doctor can follow for the rest of your life.
What if I still smoke?
COPD and smoking are both risk factors for lung cancer. If you have these conditions, quitting smoking can help lower your risk of cancer.
If you have COPD, your doctor may encourage you to quit smoking. You may need a prescription for a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This can help you to quit.
The American Lung Association has information on quitting smoking.
How can I stop coughing up phlegm?
You can control your coughing by managing your symptoms. Inhaled medications can help you breathe better and clear your airways.
You can also try noninvasive treatments, such as:
- Humidifiers
- Nasal sprays
- Inhalers
You can also try to stop coughing up phlegm by:
- Staying calm
- Not smoking
- Avoiding triggers
In some cases, your doctor may recommend a procedure to help you stop coughing up phlegm.
If you’ve had a procedure to treat your COPD, you may also want to reduce your risk of developing a new lung infection.
You can also try to control your cough by:
- Coughing up mucus regularly
- Taking a shower or bath
- Getting plenty of rest
- Using a humidifier
How long will I have to stop smoking and coughing up phlegm?
It can take up to 6 months to completely stop smoking if you have COPD. You may also need a prescription for a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help you quit.
If you don’t have COPD or if your symptoms aren’t severe, you may be able to quit smoking after a few weeks or months.
Your doctor will let you know whether or not you can stop smoking.
What if I already have COPD?
COPD doesn’t cause you to cough up phlegm. It happens as a result of the damage your lungs have sustained.
However, it’s important to try to manage your symptoms. Stopping smoking may help.
Even if you already have COPD, quitting smoking can help your symptoms.
For example, smoking can get rid of the air you breathe in. This makes it harder to breathe out.
If you have COPD, it’s especially important to try to quit smoking. This can help reduce your symptoms and make them easier to treat.
How can I cope with the effects of quitting smoking?
Quitting smoking and quitting smoking cold turkey can be hard. If you want to quit, you have several options.
You can:
- Talk to your doctor about your plans. They can help you understand what to expect.
- Ask your doctor about prescription NRT. This can help you quit.
- Ask your doctor about quitting cold turkey.
- Try a temporary cessation program. Your doctor can teach you how to quit cold turkey while you have COPD.
If you have COPD, it’s important to quit smoking to stay safe. This can help reduce your risk of lung cancer.
What’s the difference between quitting smoking and quitting COPD?
Quitting smoking and quitting COPD are similar. Both can reduce your symptoms.
Quitting COPD can help reduce your symptoms and make them easier to treat. This can also reduce your risk of lung cancer.
To help you quit, your doctor may recommend the following:
- Medications to help you breathe better.
- Treatments to help you breathe out mucus.
- Breathing exercises.
- NRT to help you quit smoking.
When can I go back to work?
It depends on the type of work you do.
If you work in the air conditioning industry, your doctor may let you go back to work before you completely stop smoking and coughing up phlegm.
If you work on an oil rig, you may not be able to go back to work for several weeks. To be safe, you should wait until your symptoms go away.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about your plan. They can help you understand what to expect.
How can I keep my lungs healthy?
If you want a COPD treatment plan, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand what to expect.
Your doctor can also let you know how to avoid COPD triggers. This can help you avoid COPD flare-ups.
Summary
COPD is a serious lung condition that can be life threatening if it’s not treated.
You can help reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting smoking and coughing up phlegm.
Images by Freepik
