About this topic
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is also called COPD. It is a lung illness. With this, air is blocked from coming out of your lungs as you breathe out. The lung is damaged and slowly loses its function. This makes breathing hard. There is no cure and it often gets worse over time. There are drugs you can take and things you can do to make it better. Smoking for a long time is often a cause of this illness. COPD includes: ‚
- Damage to the air sacs of the lungs. This is emphysema.
- Swelling and irritation in the large airways of the lungs that will never fully go away. This is chronic bronchitis.
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Work to get as healthy as possible. Be active at home by:
- Walking. Ask your doctor how far you can walk.
- Exercising your arms, shoulders, and legs. Ask your doctor or therapist about what exercises are best for you.
- Do breathing exercises.
- Eat 6 small meals per day. It may be easier to breathe when your belly is not full. Ask your doctor what foods to eat to get more energy.
- Lower your stress.
- Keep away from things which will bother your lungs.
- If you are a smoker, stop.
- Stay away from smokers when you are out.
- Do not allow smoking in your home.
- Protect yourself from getting sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- Ask visitors with a cold to wear a mask.
- Save your energy.
- Place the things you use in easy to reach areas where you dont have to bend over or reach to get them.
- Use a cart with wheels to move things around your house.
- Avoid heavy activities unless your doctor tells you it is OK.
- Use oxygen if you need it.
- Your doctor may give you oxygen to use at home. Follow your doctor's advice on using it.
- Never change the flow of oxygen without talking to your doctor.
- Always have a back-up oxygen supply at home or when you go out.
- No candles, matches, cigarettes, or open flame should ever come near your oxygen.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may be sent to a doctor who is specializes in lung illnesses. Your doctor may suggest you go to a lung rehab center to help improve your health. ‚
Your doctor may order: ‚
- Breathing tests that check the amount and force of the air you breathe in and out. These are called pulmonary function tests or PFTs.
- Chest x-rays
- CT scan of your chest
- A breathing therapist to help you with your breathing exercises
- Someone who can help you stop smoking, if you smoke
What drugs may be needed?
Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Make breathing easier
- Help coughing
- Lower swelling in your airways
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activities may be limited as long as you have the signs of this health problem. Avoid heavy and tiring activities. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Lung infections
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Anxiety and low mood
- Lung collapse
- Fluid in the lungs
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
If you have COPD you can take some steps to keep it from getting worse. ‚
- If you smoke, quit. The more you smoke, the more likely you will be to have COPD.
- Stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Stay away from air pollution or irritants.
- Wear protective gear if exposed to irritants or toxins at work.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Get a flu shot each year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum, or change in color of sputum.
- Breathing is getting worse: harder or faster than before or you feel like you are getting less air
- You need to lean forward when sitting to help you breathe
- You are using your rib muscles to help you breathe. You see the skin between your ribs going in as you breathe.
- Often have dizziness or headaches
- Feeling extra sleepy or confused
- Fingertips, fingernails, skin, or lips are blue
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help protect my lungs and save my strength.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have chest tightness, wheezing, a cough that does not go away, or trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/copd/ ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/copd-mpoc_e.php ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/emphysema-emphyseme/index_e.php ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/ ‚
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/copd/whatiscopd/01.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚