Free COPD resources

Useful information should be easy to find and free to access.

Browse clear COPD guides from recognised lung-health and NHS sources, alongside carefully labelled community resources from Wheezy Does It.

Browse the library Living with COPD guides

Start with the basics

Understanding COPD

Information about what COPD means, common symptoms, causes and how it can affect everyday life.

1 resource

COPD basics Third-party resource

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

An introduction to COPD covering the meaning of the name, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, symptoms, causes, risk factors and the difference between COPD and asthma.

Source: Asthma + Lung UK Format: PDF Length: 8 pages Size: 1.1 MB

This is a saved copy of third-party information. Check the publisher’s website for the latest version.

8 page guide Download PDF

Recognising change

COPD flare-ups

Learn how changes from your normal symptoms may indicate a flare-up and when to seek professional help.

1 resource

NHS resource Flare-ups

Managing your COPD flare-up or exacerbation

Guidance for patients, relatives and carers covering usual symptoms, signs of worsening, inhalers, prescribed rescue medication, oxygen, rehabilitation and when to seek urgent help.

Source: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Published: June 2025 Review date: June 2028 Length: 4 pages Size: 126 KB

Follow your own written COPD action plan and the instructions given by your healthcare team.

Download PDF Read about action plans

4 page NHS guide Download PDF

Breathing and activity

Airway clearance and pulmonary rehabilitation

Practical material about clearing mucus, understanding the lungs, exercise, breathlessness, inhalers and living with a respiratory condition.

2 resources

NHS resource Airway clearance

Autogenic drainage breathing technique

A Mersey Care guide to autogenic drainage: a structured airway-clearance technique intended to move secretions from smaller to larger airways.

Source: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Dated: September 2018 Length: 2 pages Size: 470 KB

Correct technique matters. Ask a respiratory physiotherapist or suitably trained professional whether this technique is appropriate for you.

Download PDF

NHS resource Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Education Booklet

A comprehensive Mersey Care booklet covering how the lungs work, chronic respiratory conditions, exercise, breathlessness, airway clearance, coughing, inhalers, travel, emotional wellbeing and behaviour change.

Source: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Format: Scanned PDF Length: 44 pages Size: 39.1 MB

This is an older local booklet. Service locations, contact details and some treatment examples may have changed; check current arrangements with your healthcare team.

Download PDF

Supporting someone

Families, friends and carers

Practical ideas for supporting a loved one while respecting their independence and looking after your own wellbeing.

1 resource

Community article Carer support

Supporting a loved one living with COPD

A contributed article covering healthy lifestyle support, understanding treatment plans, practical and emotional help, creating a more COPD-friendly home and raising awareness.

Publisher: Wheezy Does It Format: PDF Length: 3 pages Size: 45 KB

This community article provides general ideas and does not replace advice from the person’s healthcare team.

3 page article Download PDF

Responsible publishing

Resources currently held back for review

Two previously available “Cayce-inspired” daily-routine documents have not been included as public downloads in this rebuild. They contain complementary-health suggestions involving castor-oil packs, supplements and fixed breathing timings that require qualified clinical and editorial review before they can be presented responsibly on a COPD charity website.

COPD Daily Routine with Flare-Ups - review pending
COPD Daily Routine: Emergency and Timing Guide - review pending

Our resource standard

What every future download should tell you

As the library grows, each resource will be checked against the same publishing standard.

Who produced it

Every download should identify its author, publisher or contributing organisation.

When it was reviewed

Where known, publication and review dates should be visible before download.

Who it is for

The page should explain the intended audience and any professional support needed.

What it cannot do

General resources must never be presented as individual diagnosis or treatment advice.

What resource would help you next?

Suggest a missing guide, tell us what is difficult to understand or share a useful resource for us to review.

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