Everyone gets tired sometimes. But people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to have persistent exhaustion, known as fatigue. “I’ve been extremely tired for weeks,” said a MyCOPDTeam member. “I sleep for 10 hours, get up, eat breakfast, and within hours, I have to take a nap that lasts anywhere from one to four hours!”

The need to rest during the day can interfere with every aspect of life. It makes it harder to maintain a job and keep up with household chores. Fatigue can also leave you feeling isolated and misunderstood by your family and friends.

“I often feel like taking a nap during the day. This is fine when I’m home, but I have a hard time getting through the day when I’m working,” shared a MyCOPDTeam member.

“This disease has taken its toll on my body because I just can’t do what I used to,” explained another. “The fatigue is terrible. What’s harder is how others don’t understand why you’re always so tired.”

Keep reading to learn about how COPD causes fatigue and get tips to manage this symptom.

How Does a Person With COPD Feel?

COPD is a lung disease that restricts airflow in the lungs. People with COPD often have trouble taking deep breaths and may wheeze or feel short of breath, especially with activity. Fatigue is also one of the most common symptoms of COPD. People have described it as feeling drained of energy or just generally tired.

Some people with COPD report feeling tired all the time, despite seeming to sleep well at night. This constant exhaustion can take a significant toll on their quality of life. “I sleep nine to 10 hours per night, yet it’s hard to get up in the morning,” said one member. “Some days I feel like a walking zombie, just putting one foot in front of the other.”

“I get tired quickly and can’t do the work I used to do around the house, like cutting the grass,” wrote another member. “But I’ve found that if I take it easy and relax, I don’t get frustrated.”

Why Does COPD Zap Your Energy Levels?

COPD affects lung function due to damage and inflammation in the airways. As a result, your lungs have to work harder to take in the oxygen your body needs. As COPD gets worse, it tends to cause low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels. This can leave you feeling fatigued.

In addition, life with COPD can be stressful. COPD raises the risk of anxiety and depression, both of which can affect your energy levels and mood. COPD also interferes with energy-boosting sleep, exercise, and eating habits.

Many people with COPD require more calories because of the extra energy burned from labored breathing. However, shortness of breath can make eating more challenging. If you’re struggling to meet your body’s nutritional needs, it’s no wonder you’re feeling drained. Fortunately, there are strategies and treatment options to help people with COPD get more energy.

Tips To Manage Fatigue With COPD

Different factors may be responsible for your fatigue. To get a better handle on it, start by following your COPD treatment plan. Oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes can make a world of difference in how you feel. Everyone may not qualify for oxygen therapy, so be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about your treatment plan.

Focus on Your Sleep Quality

Related breathing and sleep issues can get in the way of a good night’s rest. “Insomnia is my constant problem. With asthma and COPD, lying flat in bed soon creates a restriction in my airways. I have tried stacking pillows so that I am in a sitting position, which helps a little. But my normal ‘night’s sleep’ is just a couple of hours,” said one MyCOPDTeam member.

Sleep apnea is another condition that causes disrupted sleep. Treatment of sleep apnea often starts with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and altering your sleep position.

If these changes aren’t enough, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be recommended. “I had trouble sleeping and felt like my airways were collapsing until I tried CPAP,” shared another member. “It forces air into your lungs. Now I sleep through the whole night.”

If you’re having trouble sleeping or if you feel tired despite sleeping at night, ask a healthcare professional. You might be waking up at night without realizing it. Tests like a sleep study can help figure out how well you’re actually sleeping and identify sleep disorders that could benefit from treatment.

Get Some Physical Activity

Exercising may not be easy with COPD, but it offers several benefits. Not only can it strengthen your breathing muscles, but it can also give you more energy. “I sleep 10 to 12 hours a day, but also have congestive heart failure. I usually feel tired, but after some exercise, I tend to wake up,” shared a MyCOPDTeam member.

“I find exercising helps if you pace yourself. Yes, you still get tired, but you can stay awake long enough to go to bed,” wrote another.

Discuss physical activity with your doctor before jumping into a new workout plan. Walking is often a good place to start, but you’ll need to make sure you’re getting enough oxygen to exercise safely. It may help to complete a pulmonary rehab program before starting a new exercise regimen. You may also try techniques like pursed lip breathing to help during workouts.

Ask Your Doctor About Supplements

People with COPD may have a hard time getting the nutrition they need from food. If you have a deficiency in vitamins or minerals like folate, vitamin B12, or iron, you may feel more fatigued. “I started taking B12, and it seems to help improve my energy during the day,” reported a MyCOPDTeam member.

Don’t take supplements without talking to your doctor. They may recommend a blood test to check for deficiencies first.

Meeting with a registered dietitian may be another good way to get the most out of your meals. You may also consider changing the size and timing of meals. For example, it might be easier to eat small meals throughout the day versus fewer, bigger meals.

Have a Slow Day

Members of MyCOPDTeam have accepted the fact that sometimes, extra rest is a must. “Instead of trying to battle on and risk catching a cold or chest infection, I’ve learned to rest. If I sleep for most of that day, I generally bounce back the next,” said one member.

Another advised, “Have naps when necessary and get a good night’s sleep. I relax to the music of the ’50s, my generation’s music, and try to go to bed at the same time every night. I get up early and do something first thing in the morning, then I know I have accomplished something that day.”

Some have found that napping during the day gives them a boost. Others say they can’t sleep at night if they take a nap. One member wrote that a nap with the CPAP machine is their trick for staying up later: “I took a long time getting used to the CPAP, but now, it’s my best friend. My respiratory therapist suggested I use it whenever I get really sleepy, as the buildup of carbon dioxide can cause tiredness. I used to get so sleepy at 7 p.m. Now, I lie down with my CPAP on at about 4 p.m. and rest or nap for about an hour. Then, I can make it till 10 p.m.”

If you have extreme fatigue that continues for more than a day or two, give your healthcare provider a call. A little downtime can help, but it’s important to figure out if there’s another issue that needs treatment.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyCOPDTeam is the social network for people with COPD and their loved ones. Members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with this respiratory disease.

Does chronic fatigue from COPD get in the way of your daily activities? If so, what tips do you have for managing it? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.