What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
November 28, 2013

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? COPD is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe.  It is caused by damage to the lungs over many years, usually from smoking COPD is often a mix of two diseases; chronic bronchitis & Emphysema. According to Wikipedia, worldwide, COPD ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in 1990. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the economic burden of COPD in the U.S. in 2007 was $42.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity. COPD gets worse over time. You can’t undo the damage to your lungs, but you can take steps to prevent more damage and feel better. I myself have battled with bronchitis for many years and find myself breathless sometimes when I take the stairs at work. Even though I have not been diagnosed with the disease, I feel that I have many of the systems. Anyone who has COPD understands the importance of listening to your body and to know your limits. Medline Plus suggests a few tips you can to make breathing easier:

·         Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to prevent or slow damage to your lungs—it is never too late to stop smoking. 

·         Avoid conditions that may irritate your lungs, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, smog, cold dry air, hot humid air, or high altitudes.

·         Take rest breaks. Schedule short rest breaks during household chores and other activities. An occupational or physical therapist can help you find ways to do everyday activities with less effort.

·         Stay as active as possible, and get regular exercise. Try to do activities and exercises that build muscle strength and help your cardiovascular system if you get out of breath, wait until your breathing returns to normal before continuing.

·         Eat well

Eat Good nutrition is important to keep up your strength and health. Problems with muscle weakness and weight loss are common in people with severe COPD. People with COPD who are very underweight, especially those with emphysema, are at higher risk of early death than are people with COPD who have a normal weight.

·         Seek education and support Treating more than the disease and its symptoms is very important. You also need educating yourself and your family about COPD and your treatment program helps you and your family copes with your lung disease.

·         A support network of family, friends, and health professionals. Learning that you have a disease that may shorten your life can trigger depression or grieving. Anxiety can make your symptoms worse and can trigger flare-ups or make them last longer. Support from family and friends can reduce anxiety and stress and make it easier to live with COPD.

·         Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor. If you use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), be sure you know how to use it properly. A self-reward system, such as a night out to eat after staying on your medicine and exercise schedule for a week, can help keep you motivated.

·         Your treatment plan. Following a treatment plan will make you feel better and less likely to become depressed.

·         Discuss pulmonary rehabilitation with your doctor.

Hearing you have COPD can be incredibly tough, but it’s far from a helpless situation. Starting today, you can learn ways to improve your breathing and slow the progression of the disease! Re-read this article and get started breathing better!

contact Nancy Larson at my.healthiswealth@comcast.net