When someone is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, it can be devastating. The disease will change the person’s life, from their social events to their daily life at home. If you are a family member or friend of someone who has recently been diagnosed with COPD, you play an important role in the well-being of the patient. It’s important to learn what you can do to help your loved one manage their COPD and be there as part of their support structure. Here are some important things you can do to help your loved one with COPD feel better and improve their quality of life:

Maintaining social contacts with family and friends is important for all aspects of life. Having a close friend to lean on during hard times or someone to share the fun times with is essential. It can ease the pain and amplify the good times but what about physical ailments? There have been several social science studies conducted that indeed confirm that there is a definite link between social relationships and health outcomes. In fact the American Journal of Managed Care has stated that socially isolated people have a 43% risk of illness reoccurrence, a 64% higher risk of contracting a serious illness, and an astounding 69% higher risk of all-cause mortality whether it be from heart attack, chronic illness, or any variety and combination of health issues.

There is nothing more refreshing than waking up after a full night’s rest. However, when diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may not have the same experience. But you’re not alone. In fact, up to 50% of people diagnosed with COPD report experiencing some level of insomnia. Such as sleep disruptions, trouble sleeping well throughout the night, or difficulty falling asleep.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not an easy disease to manage, as you may already know. The numerous symptoms that limit your ability to do things, the wide array of commonly linked diseases and illnesses, and thinking about life before your diagnosis all contribute to the difficulties you may have managing your disease.