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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that limit the flow of air into and out of the lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, most often caused by heavy, long-time cigarette smoking. It can also include chronic asthma.

Diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing involves breathing with your diaphragm, a large muscle located below your lungs. Using your diaphragm makes breathing easier. Try this belly breathing exercise.

To control asthma, you need to use your medicines the right way. Some medicines are inhaled using a device called a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). MDIs use a fine spray to dispense medicine.

If you have allergies, being around allergens can lead to swollen, inflamed airways. You need to control these triggers to prevent asthma flare-ups. The following tips can help you.

A peak flow meter measures how fast you can push air out of your lungs. This tells you how well you are controlling your asthma. Measure your peak flow as many times a day as your doctor tells you to.

Learn how to keep your gastrostomy tube from getting clogged by flushing it with warm water after each feeding and before and after giving any medicines.

A Hemovac drainage tube is used to remove fluid and is attached to a drain or collection device. This sheet can help you care for your Hemovac tube.

You were shown how to flush and care for your tube in the hospital. This sheet helps you remember the steps when you are at home.

You are going home with a feeding tube in place. If you normally take any medicines by mouth, you will need to take them through your feeding tube. You can make this easier by calling your pharmacist to see whether any of your medicines are available in liquid form. If they are, ask that your prescriptions be filled with liquid medicines.