7 COPD Books Offering Expert-Backed Strategies and Patient Support

These 7 COPD Books, authored by leading experts like Kevin Felner and Rachel Garrod, provide authoritative guidance for managing symptoms, rehabilitation, and daily living with COPD.

Updated on June 28, 2025
We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page

What if managing COPD could become less daunting and more empowering? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects millions worldwide, presenting challenges that ripple through daily life. Yet, the right knowledge can shift this narrative, offering clearer paths to breathing easier and living better.

These 7 COPD books stand out for their grounded, practical expertise. From authors like Kevin Felner, who simplifies complex medical concepts, to Rachel Garrod, a respiratory physiotherapist championing pulmonary rehabilitation, these works provide both patient-centered insights and professional guidance. Their combined experience spans decades, ensuring readers access reliable and actionable information.

While these expert-curated books offer proven frameworks to understand and manage COPD, you might find even greater value in creating a personalized COPD book tailored to your unique health background, goals, and learning preferences. This approach helps bridge general principles with your specific needs, enhancing your journey with COPD.

Best for accessible beginner guidance
Kevin Felner is a co-author of 'COPD for Dummies' and has contributed to various health-related publications. His expertise in medical writing helps readers understand complex health issues in a simplified manner. This background informs the book's clear explanations of COPD, making it accessible and useful for anyone seeking to grasp the condition's challenges and management strategies.
COPD for Dummies (Thorndike Large Print Health, Home and Learning) book cover

by Kevin Felner, Meg Schneider··You?

523 pages·COPD, Chronic Disease, Patient Education, Symptom Management, Treatment Options

Drawing from expertise in medical writing, Kevin Felner and Meg Schneider craft a guide that breaks down the complexities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease into accessible language. You’ll explore practical advice on managing symptoms, understanding treatment options, and navigating lifestyle adjustments critical to living with COPD. The large print edition emphasizes readability, making it particularly useful if you find standard texts hard to engage with. This book suits those newly diagnosed as well as caregivers seeking straightforward explanations and actionable insights.

View on Amazon
Best for pulmonary rehabilitation insights
Rachel Garrod Ph.D MSc. brings over twenty-five years of expertise in respiratory physiotherapy to this book, combining her deep clinical knowledge with a passionate advocacy for pulmonary rehabilitation. Her frontline experience with COPD patients and participation in numerous studies underpin the book's insights. This unique collaboration with Dawn Lawson, a patient who overcame severe prognosis, adds a vital personal dimension. Together, they deliver an informed guide that challenges prevailing assumptions and opens new possibilities for those living with COPD.
2021·231 pages·COPD, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Patient Advocacy, Respiratory Therapy, Chronic Disease Management

Rachel Garrod Ph.D MSc., a respiratory physiotherapy expert with over twenty-five years in pulmonary rehabilitation, coauthors this book with Dawn Lawson, a late-stage COPD patient who defied expectations. You get a dual perspective combining clinical expertise and lived experience that explains pulmonary rehabilitation in accessible terms. The book challenges outdated medical mindsets by showing how rehab can not only maintain but improve lung health, even in severe cases. Chapters detail the science behind rehab, common barriers, and practical ways to advocate for treatment, making it especially relevant if you feel stuck or dismissed by traditional care.

View on Amazon
Best for personalized management plans
This AI-created book on COPD management is tailored to your specific health background, experience level, and the challenges you face. By focusing on what matters most to you, it brings expert knowledge directly to your unique situation. Having a custom book like this means you get clear, relevant information without wading through materials that don’t apply to your needs. It's a practical way to deepen your understanding and take control of your COPD journey.
2025·50-300 pages·COPD, COPD Basics, Symptom Control, Medication Use, Pulmonary Rehabilitation

This personalized book explores chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a focus tailored to your unique health background and management challenges. It examines the complexities of COPD from both medical and practical perspectives, weaving together essential knowledge about symptom control, medication use, and lifestyle adaptations. By concentrating on your specific interests and goals, this tailored approach helps you navigate the nuances of managing COPD effectively. The content reveals strategies for improving breathing techniques, understanding treatment options, and incorporating pulmonary rehabilitation principles. This personalized guide translates broad expert knowledge into a pathway that matches your experience, making the learning process both relevant and engaging.

Tailored Guide
COPD Management Insights
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for structured symptom management
Dawn Lesley Fielding is a respiratory therapist who has dedicated her career to helping patients with chronic lung diseases. Her extensive hands-on experience led her to develop a comprehensive 10-week program for living better with COPD. This book reflects her compassionate, practical approach and offers you accessible guidance on breathing, nutrition, and symptom management to improve your quality of life.
2016·336 pages·Respiratory Disease, COPD, Breathing Techniques, Symptom Management, Medication Guidance

Dawn Lesley Fielding is a respiratory therapist whose deep experience with chronic lung diseases clearly shapes this book. You’ll find a detailed 10-week program that tackles COPD from multiple angles—breathing techniques, symptom tracking, medication guidance, nutrition, and gentle exercise. For example, the chapters on breathing exercises offer practical methods to optimize oxygen intake, while nutrition lists clarify what foods support lung health. This book suits anyone facing COPD who wants a structured, medically grounded approach without overwhelming jargon. It’s especially helpful if you’re looking to actively manage your symptoms and improve daily life through informed lifestyle changes.

View on Amazon
Best for long-term coping strategies
Jane M. Martin is a respiratory therapist and educator with over 35 years of experience helping people manage chronic lung conditions. Motivated by her work leading support groups and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, she wrote this book to share patient stories and expert guidance. Her unique perspective offers those living with COPD practical knowledge and inspiration to maintain health and hope throughout their journey.
2020·360 pages·COPD, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Breathing Techniques, Medication Management, Anxiety Control

What started as Jane M. Martin's dedication to respiratory therapy grew into a guide designed to empower those living with COPD. Drawing on her 35 years of experience and patient stories, she offers week-by-week insights into breathing techniques, medication management, and coping with anxiety. You’ll learn how to recognize early signs of infection and collaborate effectively with your healthcare team, enriched by practical advice on nutrition and relaxation. This book suits anyone navigating COPD, whether newly diagnosed or managing it long-term, providing tangible strategies to improve daily living without overpromising outcomes.

View on Amazon
Best for focused 21-day action plan
Elizabeth Moffett, RRT, AE-C, is a respiratory therapist with extensive experience in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She has dedicated her career to helping patients understand and cope with their lung conditions, providing practical strategies for better breathing and overall health. This background uniquely positions her to write a book that not only addresses the lungs but also the broader impact of COPD, offering you a 21-day journey toward improved confidence and control over your symptoms.
2020·80 pages·Respiratory Disease, COPD, Breathing Techniques, Symptom Management, Patient Education

Drawing from her expertise as a respiratory therapist, Elizabeth Moffett crafted this book to guide you through a focused 21-day plan aimed at managing COPD beyond just the lungs. She emphasizes treating your whole body and regaining control over symptoms through education paired with free video demonstrations, making complex care approachable. Chapters detail daily routines and breathing techniques that help build confidence and improve quality of life. If you want a structured, manageable path that addresses the broader effects of COPD, this book meets that need without overwhelming you with medical jargon or narrow lung-focused advice.

View on Amazon
Best for personal symptom plans
This AI-created book on COPD renewal is crafted based on your unique breathing health background and goals. You share your current lung function, experience with COPD, and which aspects you want to focus on, and the book is created to guide you through a practical 30-day improvement plan. Because COPD management varies widely, a tailored approach helps you focus on the steps most relevant to your condition, making it easier to build effective habits and track your progress. This book offers a personalized path toward clearer breathing, grounded in your specific needs and aspirations.
2025·50-300 pages·COPD, COPD Basics, Lung Function, Breathing Exercises, Symptom Tracking

This tailored book explores a focused 30-day plan designed specifically to enhance breathing and lung function for those living with COPD. It examines daily steps that build progressively, matching your personal health background and goals to help you engage effectively with your respiratory care. The content reveals practical breathing exercises, lifestyle adjustments, and symptom management techniques, all curated to suit your unique situation. This personalized guide moves beyond generic advice by addressing your specific challenges and aspirations in COPD management, making the learning process more relevant and motivating. By aligning expert knowledge with your needs, it offers a clear pathway to potentially improving your breathing capacity and overall lung health, one day at a time.

Tailored Guide
Respiratory Enhancement
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for healthcare professionals' reference
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease is renowned for advancing COPD awareness and care worldwide. Their dedication to evidence-based strategies culminates in this pocket guide, crafted to aid healthcare professionals in delivering informed, up-to-date diagnosis and management of COPD. By synthesizing global research and organizing educational events like World COPD Day, GOLD ensures that this guide reflects the latest scientific consensus and practical insights to support clinicians everywhere in improving patient care.
2022·53 pages·Respiratory Disease, COPD, Disease Management, Diagnosis, Prevention

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) brings together worldwide expertise to create a concise, evidence-based resource for healthcare professionals managing COPD. This pocket guide distills the latest updates on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, emphasizing adaptable approaches tailored to diverse healthcare systems. You’ll find clear guidance on assessing disease severity, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, and patient education techniques, all grounded in rigorous scientific review. Designed for clinicians who need quick yet authoritative reference, this guide supports informed decision-making in everyday practice without overwhelming detail.

View on Amazon
Best for evidence-based patient answers
Donald A. Mahler, MD, emeritus professor and pulmonary physician, brings his extensive clinical and research experience to this book, providing authoritative answers to the pressing questions COPD patients face. His collaboration on the dyspnea indexes used in numerous pharmaceutical trials underscores his deep expertise, making this guide especially reliable for anyone navigating the complexities of COPD management.
2022·224 pages·COPD, Respiratory Disease, Medication Management, Exercise Benefits, Flare-Up Prevention

Drawing from over three decades as a pulmonary physician and researcher, Donald A. Mahler offers a straightforward guide addressing the everyday concerns of those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The book breaks down complex topics like medication options, flare-up prevention, and exercise benefits, with patient vignettes and clear tables that make the information accessible without oversimplification. You’ll find practical insights on managing breathlessness, understanding the role of surgery, and navigating challenges like COVID-19’s impact, all grounded in evidence-based medicine. This book suits anyone seeking grounded, medically informed answers to improve daily life with COPD rather than sweeping promises or technical jargon.

View on Amazon

Get Your Personal COPD Strategy in 10 Minutes

Stop following generic advice. Receive targeted COPD strategies tailored to your unique needs quickly.

Tailored health plans
Efficient learning paths
Practical symptom tips

Trusted by COPD patients and healthcare professionals worldwide

The COPD Mastery Blueprint
30-Day COPD Renewal System
COPD Insights 2025
Inside COPD Secrets

Conclusion

The themes woven through these 7 COPD books emphasize understanding your condition, embracing rehabilitation, and fostering sustainable lifestyle changes. You’ll find resources that demystify medical jargon, provide step-by-step programs, and uplift the emotional aspects of coping with COPD.

If you’re newly diagnosed, starting with "COPD for Dummies" can build your foundational knowledge. For those seeking actionable rehabilitation methods, "THE SECRET TO THRIVING WITH COPD" and "The COPD Solution" offer structured guidance. Healthcare professionals or those wanting clinical precision will appreciate the "Pocket Guide to COPD Diagnosis, Management and Prevention."

Alternatively, you can create a personalized COPD book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and make managing COPD a more informed, confident experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Starting with "COPD for Dummies" is a smart move if you're new to the condition. It breaks down the basics in clear language, making it easier to understand your diagnosis and care options.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to COPD?

Not at all. Many books, like "Live Your Life with COPD," offer gentle guidance suitable for beginners while also providing deeper insights as you progress.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational knowledge in "COPD for Dummies," then explore rehabilitation-focused books like "THE SECRET TO THRIVING WITH COPD." Finish with clinical guides or patient Q&A books for detailed understanding.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your needs. For symptom management, "The COPD Solution" is practical. For professional insight, the "Pocket Guide" fits. Each offers unique perspectives without requiring you to read them all.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Conquering COPD" provides a focused 21-day plan with daily routines and breathing techniques, making it great for immediate application to your care routine.

How can personalized COPD books complement these expert recommendations?

Personalized COPD books build on expert insights by tailoring information to your unique health profile and goals, making advice more relevant and easier to apply. Learn more by creating your custom COPD book.

📚 Love this book list?

Help fellow book lovers discover great books, share this curated list with others!