Living with COPD: Lifestyle tips, treatments, and medical cannabis options

Living with a serious respiratory condition like COPD can feel like hard work, sometimes with every single breath. Climbing the stairs, walking to the shops, or simply getting dressed can leave you out of breath. The good news is that there is plenty you can do to feel better day to day, and a growing number of treatment options to explore.

In this guide, we explain what COPD is, what causes it, and the symptoms to look out for. We then look at how it is usually treated, along with some practical lifestyle tips. Finally, we explore whether plant-to-patient medical cannabis might have a role to play in managing symptoms.

What is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is the name for a group of long-term lung conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that make it harder to breathe.

With COPD, the airways become narrowed and inflamed, and the tiny air sacs in the lungs can be damaged. This means air does not flow in and out as freely as it should, which is why breathing feels like such an effort. COPD usually develops slowly over many years, and most people start to notice symptoms from middle age onwards.

There is currently no cure, and damage already done to the lungs cannot be reversed. But COPD can be managed well, and the right care can slow it down and help you feel better.

What causes COPD?

Smoking is by far the most common cause of COPD. Breathing in tobacco smoke over many years irritates and damages the lungs, which leads to the inflammation and narrowing seen in COPD.

Other causes include long-term contact with air pollution, as well as dust, fumes, and chemicals, often through certain types of work. More rarely, COPD can be linked to a genetic condition that affects the lungs. Usually, the exposure has to go on for a long time before symptoms appear.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

COPD symptoms tend to come on gradually and slowly get worse over time. The main ones include:

• Breathlessness, especially when you are active

• A long-lasting cough, often bringing up phlegm

• Frequent chest infections

• Wheezing

• Feeling tired and low on energy.

Many people put these signs down to getting older or being a bit unfit, so COPD often goes unnoticed at first. Symptoms can also flare up suddenly, sometimes after an infection. These flare-ups are called exacerbations and may need extra treatment. If you have any of these symptoms, it is worth speaking to your GP.

How to treat COPD?

While COPD cannot be cured, there are several treatments that can ease symptoms and help you stay active.

The single most helpful step, if you smoke, is to stop. Quitting smoking is the best way to slow COPD down and protect the lungs from further harm. Your GP or pharmacist can help you find support to give up for good.

Inhalers are the main medical treatment. Bronchodilator inhalers relax and open up the airways to make breathing easier, and some inhalers also contain a steroid to reduce swelling. During flare-ups, a doctor may prescribe a short course of steroid tablets or antibiotics.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is another key part of care. This is a programme of gentle exercise and education that helps you build up your fitness and feel more confident managing your breathing. For more advanced COPD, oxygen therapy may be needed.

Simple lifestyle changes can make a real difference too. Staying as active as you can, eating well, keeping a healthy weight, and having your yearly flu jab and other recommended vaccines all help to keep your lungs in better shape and reduce the risk of infections.

Can medical cannabis help with COPD?

While, medical cannabis is not a cure, researchers are exploring whether it may help manage some of the symptoms and associated challenges that can affect day-to-day quality of life.The honest answer is that research into medical cannabis for COPD is still at an early stage, and it is not a treatment for the disease itself.

Some early studies suggest that cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis, may have anti-inflammatory effects and could help relax the airways. Researchers are also looking at whether medical cannabis might ease related issues such as breathlessness, anxiety, poor sleep, and low appetite, which can all affect quality of life with COPD. However, the evidence so far is limited, and more research is needed.

One important point is that smoking any substance can be harmful to the lungs and is generally not recommended for people with COPD. However, this does not mean medical cannabis is unsuitable. Under specialist medical supervision, alternative administration methods, including medically directed vaping at appropriate temperatures, may be considered where clinically appropriate, allowing treatment to be tailored to the individual's respiratory health and overall needs.

Medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription in the UK since 2018, and since 2019 in the Channel Islands. It is never a replacement for your usual COPD care, but for some patients it may be worth exploring as part of a wider plan.

At Medicann, our process is simple. Our prescribing doctors take the time to understand your full symptom picture before making any recommendation, so the approach is always right for you. If you are living with a long-term condition and want to find out more, you can check your eligibility online or get in touch with the Medicann team today to speak with one of our approved specialists.