COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

What Is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) ?

It’s Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – an illness that interferes with how the lungs work. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD affects people:

Physically

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease generally includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions make breathing difficult due to:

Swollen, inflammed airways
Damaged air sacs in the lungs
Excess mucus

Emotionally

For example, people with COPD may experience:

Fear
Anxiety
Anger
Depression

But people with COPD can learn ways to feel better physically and emotionally. And Family members can help.

Living Life Well Is Possible

While there is no cure for COPD, there are ways to:

Ease your symptoms with medication and other treatments
Deal with anxiety when you are breathless
Breathe more efficiently, so you can continue many of your normal activities
Use less energy to get tasks done
Protect yourself from infections and substances than can irritate your lungs

Work With Your Doctor

To develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe:

Medications

Medications may help:

Open Airways
Treat Lung Infections
Reduce Coughing
Reduce Mucus
Decrease Anxiety
Relieve Pain

Oxygen Therapy

For people who need it, oxygen therapy can improve life physically and mentally. If oxygen is prescribed to you:

Discuss with your doctor about the benefits of long term oxygen therapy
Talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of different types of oxygen delivery devices
Ask medical equipment dealers who rent or sell oxygen equipment about costs and service calls

You play an important part in your treatment plan. Be sure to:

ASK ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDICATIONS – Find out when to report side effects to your doctor
TAKE MEDICATIONS EXACTLY AS PRESCRIBED – Never change oxygen liter flow. And never increase, decrease or stop any other medications without consulting your doctor.
FIND OUT ABOUT OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS – Do not use them without your doctor’s advice.
BE ALERT TO CHANGES – learn to recognise the warning signs of a possible attack. Know what to do about them.
ASK QUESTIONS – If there’s something you don’t understand or something you would like to know more about, just ask. For example, you may have questions about medications, diet, exercise or breathing techniques.

If You Smoke, Quit!

Quitting smoking can help keep COPD from getting worse. Here are some tips to help:

List your reason for quitting
Choose a method for quitting – ‘cold turkey’ is the way to do it
Change your routine, if possible, to avoid times and places that were a part of your smoking habit.
Keep a diary of when and where you smoke. Recognizing patterns in your smoking habit can help you quit
Pick a target date for quitting, and tell others
Consider joining a comprehensive smoking cessation programme

You can also talk with your doctor about getting a prescription to help you quit.

Learn to Breathe Easier

These methods can help your lungs work more efficiently and calm you down when you feel breathless:

Abdominal Breathing

Put one hand on your chest, this hand should remain still as you breathe.
Put the other hand on your abdomen with your thumb just below your navel. This hand should rise and fall as you breathe
Inhale through your nose to a count of 3. Exhale to a count of 6.
Repeat for about 15 minutes
Practice often. Learning to coordinate abdominal movements and breathing takes time.

You can use abdominal breathing while sitting, standing or reclining.

Pursed-lip Breathing

Inhale slowly through your nose
Pucker your lips, and slowly exhale, making a soft, hissing sound.
Try pursed-lip breathing with abdominal breathing

Know How to Clear Mucus

Controlled coughing can help bring up mucus without exhausting you or harming your airways. Here’s how it works:

Take a slow, deep breath through your nose
Hold your breath for a few seconds
Open your mouth slightly and let out 2 or 3 short, sharp coughs
Relax and repeat

Other methods to loosen and help drain mucus from your lungs may be taught to you by your healthcare provider. Family members may also be taught how to help.

Combine a Healthy Diet With Regular Exercise

Here are the general guidelines:

Nutrition

Eat a variety of healthy foods each day
Eat small, frequent meals instead of a few large ones.
Talk to your doctor if certain foods give you trouble. For eg, gas-producing foods (cabbage, beans, corn, etc.) may make breathing uncomfortable
Drink lots of water, preferably between meals, unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

Exercise

People who are in shape use less oxygen. Before you start an exercise program, ask your doctor:

What kind of exercise to do (walking is often recommended)
How long and how often to exercise
Whether you need to adjust your medication and/or oxygen when you exercise

Help Prevent Additional Stress on Your Lungs

By avoiding

Colds and Flu

Ask your doctor about vaccinations against flu and pneumonia
Avoid contact with anyone who has a cold or the flu
Call your doctor at the first sign of a cold or the flu (for eg, increased coughing, stuffy nose, fever, yellow or green mucus)

Certain Irritants

Smoke – from cigarettes, fireplaces, etc.
Dust and fumes – from paint, exhaust, perfumes, etc.
Cold air
Extremely dry or humid air
Air pollution

Ask your doctor if air conditioners, air cleaners, humidifiers or dehumidifiers would help.

Stay as Active as Possible

Having COPD doesn’t necessarily put an end to:

Work

Talk to your employer. Simple changes in your job maybe all that’s needed
Consider retraining for a new job.

Sex

Rest before and after you have sex
Use a position that requires less energy (such as lying side by side)
Use pursed-lip breathing
Consider other ways to share intimacy (holding, kissing, etc.)

Travel

Ask your doctor about medical facilities and doctors available at your destination.
Ask your oxygen supplier where to get oxygen (Remember to bring your prescription)
Notify the airline in advance if you will need oxygen
Carry an extra supply of medications on your person in case your luggage gets lost

Staying active can help make you feel good about yourself.

More Tips for Your Daily Living

Conserve Your Energy

Alternate easy and difficult tasks
Break difficult tasks into smaller steps. Rest between steps
Use pursed-lip breathing. Exhale as you exert yourself
Sit, whenever you can. Keep things you will need close by.
Pull or push, instead of lifting, whenever possible

Use Relaxation Techniques

Consider learning

Progressive muscle relaxation – Tensing, then relaxing each muscle group from head to toe
Meditation – Focusing on a word or peaceful scene to achieve calmness
Biofeedback – Teaching yourself to relax by using equipment that monitors muscle tension

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Talk with a friend or family member when you are angry, depressed, etc.

How Family Members Can Help

Share Your Feelings

You may experience many of the same emotions that the person with COPD does. You need to talk about your feelings too.

Support Efforts to Quit Smoking

Your loved one may need help to stop smoking. If you smoke, don’t smoke around your loved one – secondhand smoke is harmful. And, consider quitting for your own sake.

Don’t Overprotect

Allow your loved one to do as much as he or she feels able to do. His or her self-esteem depends on it.

Help With Treatment

Ask healthcare personnel how you can help at home

Join a Support Group

Talking with others who are affected by COPD can help people with COPD – and their family members.

Team

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) | Respiratory, Pulmonary, Lung and Breathing care.