Being told you have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) can be devastating. COPD is any type of blockage in the airways of the lungs and is long term. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis are all types of COPD, plus any combination of these diseases. The main syptoms of COPD include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and too much mucus production. Drinking lots of water one of the most important things you should do if you have COPD. Water helps keep the mucus thinned out so it is easier to cough up. This helps to keep the airways opened up and not clogged with thick mucus. Thick mucus can help bring on infections so it is very important to keep the mucus thinned by drinking lots of water every day. Drinking plenty of water will also help to keep you from becoming dehydrated, especially during an infection.
Learning to control your breathing and your coughing is also very important. Pursed lips breathing can be done anywhere and anytime. Breath in through your nose and then purse your lips like you are going to whistle and breath gently out. Continue this until you are not short of breath. One way to be sure you are doing the pursed lip breathing correctly is to try to blow bubbles with a bubble blower - that is the same technique as pursed lip breathing. If you blow out too hard the bubble will pop. That means you are forcing the air out too hard.
Learn to recognize signs that will tell you when you need to seek medical treatment. A change in mucus production or color, more shortness of breath or more wheezing than usual, sudden weight gain, swelling in ankles legs and around eyes, faster pulse than usual, loss of appetite, dehydration, fever and unusual dizziness, sleepiness, headaches or heart palpitations are all signs that may mean you should call your doctor or go to an emergency room.
Exercise is also very important part of COPD treatment. When your muscles are not in shape, they use up a lot more oxygen to move them. This makes you have to breath harder to supply more oxygen. This, in turn, can put an increase load on you heart. Be sure to consult with your doctor or therapist to be sure you are doing the best type of exercises for your disease and for your body. The better shape you are in, the easier it will be to breath and you won't get so out of breath just doing simple tasks. Attend pulmonary rehab if you can. This is a great way to learn all you can about COPD and how to live with it.
Quitting smoking and staying away from cigarette smoke are very important if you have been diagnose with COPD. If you are having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor. Chantix, a prescription medication, has been very successful in helping people to quit smoking. If you are not successful at first, keep trying.
Drink plenty of water, exercise properly, take all prescribed medications, learn to do pursed lip breathing and controlled coughing, follow your doctor's orders and educate yourself about COPD will help you to live a more comfortable and fullfilling life.
