### instruction:
If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patient's description.

### input:
I was diagnosed with copd about a year ago. No one ever mentioned anything about exascerbation. I am 75 years old and am the sole caregiver for my 87 year old husband who has dementia. All of our family live in far off states. I caught a mild chest cold that hung on and on. My doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Three days later (naturally on a Sunday) I could not breathe, my chest rattled and wheezed and I paniced. Was in the hospital for a week and am home now. But I m afraid to do anything that might cause a recurrence. My lung specialist is out of town for a few more weeks and the doctor in the hospital was a family practicianer - I don t think he knew quite what to do. We have very little money. I will continue with whatever medicare will help pay for. Thx. But you could at tell us up front that there is a cost and an only one time response.

### output:

Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your problem and situation. COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is progressive illness. We need to control the progression of it as we can not cure it. Following are the treatment modalities for better symptomatic control and prevention of exacerbation.1. Avoidance of smoking if you are having this habit. This is the most important step.2. Start inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).3. Enroll yourself in pulmonary rehabilitation where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercise are done.4. Vaccinate yourself with adult respiratory vaccines like influenza and pneumococcal vaccines to prevent future lung infection. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these for prevention of exacerbation and better symptomatic relief.