Effective management of COPD

Dear Ask The Doctor: My husband has been diagnosed with COPD. He gets out of breath if he walks tot fast, uphill, or works on DIY in the shed. He is 69 in October and for the most part very healthy. He has begun to cough late at night, which is quite harsh and he sits up phlegm. It is racking his body. sometimes it goes on for over two hours, is this normal? Would an extra puff of his inhaiier help this. Thanks

Dear Brenda: The symptoms mentioned above may occur due to reduced capacity of his lungs with the progression of COPD. I would recommend him, to see his doctor, for a breathing test and an assessment of his lung capacity. It will help make necessary changes in his medications that may be more effective and have long lasting effects for relief of discomfort and better quality of life.