Instructed patient about breathing tips for people with COPD take your medicine follow the treatment plan your doctor gives you. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed and listen to any other advice she has on how to take care of your COPD. If you have any questions, be sure to ask, get good sleep sleep problems are common with COPD. It's partly due to breathing symptoms, but the medications you take can also play a role. Make sure you get enough good sleep so you stay healthy. Talk to your doctor about treatments you can get. Some drugs that can help you sleep might make your breathing worse.