I agree exercise definitely helps the lungs to become stronger. I walk on the treadmill everyday if possible and I try to walk at least between 3 and 4 kilometres every day and by the Grace of our Father God I am so blessed to be off my oxygen for more than a year now. May God bless all of you as I am blessed. Breathe easy.

The FEV1 value on the test can vary from test to test, sometimes as much as 6 or 7 points. You also have to be sure that the machine that tracks the results is calibrated to the same scale every time (different scales give somewhat different results). The way to tell whether there's really been any real change is to look at the actual liters blown and compare those (that's an absolute value).

Exercise and diet are the only ways I know to change things, and usually weight loss is what really makes the difference in FEV1. What exercise will do, whether or not your FEV1 goes up or down, is that it will help you get stronger and gain stamina and endurance and make the lung function you do have much more efficient. If you do get referred to Pulmonary Rehab, do go and learn, but understand that they probably aren't going to push you very hard at all, and if you really want to make progress, you have to keep pushing yourself, little by little to increase the intensity of the workout so that you actually make progress.

I got a trainer and started exercising last year because I was diagnosed with abdominal aneurysms. I workout two hours a week and go to yoga for an hour once a week. My breathing is much better now and I have gained a lot of my strength back.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member. I really love to read your comments Jean. I've picked up some good tips from.them.

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A MyCOPDT...

Lung function can actually vary from day to day. It can be improved by Pulmonary Rehab. Any time you have tests performed you need to ask your doctor to explain the results in terms you can understand. And in a case such as this your doctor should prescribe some Pulmonary Rehab for you. There is a wealth of information on the Internet about COPD. I suggest you learn as much as you can. If there is something you do not understand then make a list to ask your doctor to explain things for. You are paying good money for your health care and if your doctor is not willing to answer your questions then it might be time to doctor shop. A physician is not a mind reader. He/she needs your input to better treat you. Blessings and hugs.