Today I'd like to tell you a little about COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). In the past (prior to 2-3 years ago), COPD was known as Emphysema. It's now becoming more well-known by its official name, COPD.
COPD is an umbrella covering Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Asthma. It had been thought to have been caused by smoking cigarettes; but more recently, it is known that there are many other factors contributing to the incurable disease. A few of these factors are pollution, working around gaseous materials, farm work, crop spraying, and exposure to noxious cleaning chemicals. Also known to be contributing factors are a history of childhood respiratory diseases, exposure to second-hand smoke, and heredity (which is known
as Alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency).
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in America, yet the percentage of research monies spent to study this disease rank among the lowest, according to the CDC.
There is a test that can determine if you have COPD, called a Spirometry test, or PFT (Pulmonary Function Test), where you blow into a largish tube as hard as you can and for as long as you can. It's a painless test, which detects the presence of COPD
long before you have significant symptoms. This means that if detected earlier, treatment begins earlier, you begin exercising earlier (to retain the healthiest lungs possible), the longer you
may live a quality life.
Some of the treatments of COPD are...
- QUIT SMOKING if you are still smoking
- Bronchodilators (long-acting and short-acting or RESCUE inhalers)
- Inhaled or tablet-form steroids (such as Prednisone)
- Exercise
- Education - the more you learn about the disease, the more educated you will be about the treatment and management of the disease
- Oxygen therapy
- Surgery - LVRS (Lung Volume Reduction Surgery) where upper lobes of the lung(s) are removed which are diseased. This helps the patient to breathe easier for several years. For end-stage COPD, there can be a lung transplant. This happens when there are no alternative treatments for your disease (all treatments have been exhausted). Usually the patients right lung will be replaced with a healthy lung from a donor.
It's imperative that a person with COPD remain active, and exercise to full capacity. There are times when this appears to be impossible, especially for those COPD patients with Emphysema AND asthma (exercise-induced asthma in particular). But there are exercises for even these patients. Swimming is one of the best exercises. Even with oxygen use, people can still swim WHILE still using their oxygen. They just cannot (should not) totally immerse their body in the water. I swim with a long length of oxygen tubing attached to my portable oxygen tank. Be sure that other people in the pool are aware that
they must watch out for your tubing, or they will become entangled in it. One requires less oxygen while swimming, as you do not feel the exercise due to being in water. Be sure you do not overdo it with swimming or water aerobics. While in the water, ones body weighs only 1/10 of its true weight.
Living with COPD
Living with COPD is going to change your life. There's no question about that. It is important to keep the air in your home clean. Here are some things that may help you in your home:
- Keep smoke, fumes, and strong smells out of your home.
- If your home is painted or sprayed for insects, have it done when you can stay away from your home.
- Cook near an open door or window.
- If you heat with wood or kerosene, keep a door or window open.
- Keep your windows closed and stay at home when there is a lot of pollution or dust outside.
If you are taking medicines, take them as ordered and make sure you refill them so you do not run out.
Keep your body strong by learning breathing exercises and walking and exercising regularly.
Eat healthy foods. Ask your family to help you buy and fix healthy foods. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Eat protein food like meat, fish, eggs, milk, and soy.
If your doctor has told you that you have severe COPD, there are some things that you can do to get the most out of each breath. Make your life as easy as possible at home by:
- Asking your friends and family for help.
- Doing things slowly.
- Doing things sitting down.
- Putting things you need in one place that is easy to reach.
- Finding very simple ways to cook, clean, and do other chores. Some people use a small table or cart with wheels to move things around. Using a pole or tongs with long handles can help you reach things.
- Keeping your clothes loose.
- Wearing clothes and shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
- Asking for help moving your things around in your house so that you will not need to climb stairs as often.
- Picking a place to sit that you can enjoy and visit with others.
If you are finding that it is becoming more difficult to catch your breath, your coughing has gotten worse, you are coughing up more mucus, or you have signs of infection (such as a fever and feeling poorly), you need to call your doctor right away. Your doctor may do a spirometry test, blood work, and a chest x-ray
Please remember to keep your list of medications up-to-date. When a medication has been changed, be sure to change it on your list.
Keep a list of phone numbers for...
- your doctor
- your spouse
- your children
