COPD is a lifelong condition, but it doesn't have to be a progressive one. The first and best thing someone can do is to quit smoking. Jan and Jean share their experience giving up cigarettes, and we cover the medications, therapies, and healthy lifestyle changes that can help slow or halt the worsening of lung disease. Plus: what babies, opera singers and harmonica players can teach us about breathing.

Visit our website links and resources: HealthUnmuted.com

For more information about smoking cessation:

COPD Foundation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/

US National Quitline: +1-800-QUIT NOW (+1-800-784-8669)

Smokefree.gov: https://smokefree.gov/ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm

For more information about medications and pulmonary rehab: 

COPD Foundation list of treatments and medication: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-a-Person-with-COPD/Treatments-Medications.aspx 

COPD Foundation information on pulmonary rehabilitation: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Pulmonary-Rehabilitation/What-is-Pulmonary-Rehabilitation.aspx 

WebMD - What are Treatments for COPD? https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-are-treatments-for-copd 

Healthline - COPD Drugs: A List of Medications to Help Relieve Your Symptoms: https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/drugs 

For more information about patient or pharmaceutical assistance programs: 

RxAssist Patient Assistance Program finder: https://www.rxassist.org/ 

Medicine Assistance Tool: https://mat.org/

Medicare.gov Pharmaceutical Assistance Program finder: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/states?lang=en&year=2022

American Lung Association list of financial assistance programs: https://www.lung.org/help-support/financial-assistance-programs