Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Afton Patterson
Do you suffer from frequent shortness of breath? Do simple things like climbing stairs or grocery shopping leave you wheezing and coughing? If so, you may be one of millions of Americans who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the CDC, 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, but there are millions more out there who have not been diagnosed and are not being treated.
While the main cause of COPD is smoking tobacco, you can still suffer from it even if you are not a smoker. Exposure to cigarette smoke (second hand smoke) or pollution in the air in your home or place of work can increase your risk as well. Additionally, those with a family history or those who suffer from respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, are also at a higher risk.
Symptoms of COPD
According to the Mayo Clinic, COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs the airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, as well as coughing and wheezing from excessive mucus production. Its severity varies from person to person as does its treatment.
How is COPD treated?
First and foremost, you must stop smoking and avoid being exposed to other air pollutants. Eliminating the sources of irritation is of utmost importance.
Your doctor may also suggest other treatments including:
Pulmonary rehabilitation: A program specifically designed for each patient that teaches them to manage their COPD symptoms and thereby improve their quality of life is important. These plans are likely to include learning how to breathe properly and what types of exercise might be beneficial to the patient.
Medication: Managing the symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, can usually be improved by taking proper medications.
Prevention of lung infections: Since flu and pneumonia cause such serious problems for those who suffer from COPD, getting vaccines is important. If these lung infections are present, antibiotics can be used to treat them in many cases.
Supplemental oxygen: In severe cases, a portable oxygen tank may be needed in order to maintain optimal blood oxygen levels.
Proper nutrition: It should not come as a surprise that healthy eating affects every aspect of our life. The right mix of nutrients in your diet can also help you to breathe more easily.
Exercise: Like eating properly, getting the right type and amount of exercise is important in managing your symptoms and maintaining your overall health.
Getting Support
Living with COPD can be challenging. Doing simple tasks can become difficult. Going shopping, running the vacuum, getting the mail or even getting up to answer the phone can be exhausting and take much longer than they normally would. Part of managing your COPD is knowing when and where to get help. Highest Honor Home Care’s mission is to assist every client with improving their quality of life, encouraging independence and allowing them to be comfortable with excellent care in their homes by providing first-class, professional care with respect, dignity and compassion with the highest ethical standards and honor.
They offer homemaking services that include:
• Light housekeeping/ Home Management
• Making the bed and changing linens
• Doing the laundry
• Answering the phone and door
• Preparing meals
• Taking out the trash
• Writing letters and reading mail
• Dusting the furniture
• Medication reminders
If you or a loved one is in need the home care services mentioned here, contact Highest Honor Home Care by sending an email to info@highesthonorhomecare.com or by calling 941.204.8636. They offer service to Charlotte, DeSoto, and Sarasota counties. Their team of highly qualified professionals would be glad to talk to you and give you more information about how home care could work for you.
