Live Well With COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD is a lung disease. People with COPD have a hard time getting air in and out of their lungs. There is no cure for COPD. COPD is also commonly known as Chronic Bronchitis or Emphysema. When you have COPD, taking care of yourself is important. By taking care of your self you will: Breathe easier Have more energy Feel better Relieve symptoms and keep disease from getting worse
Bronchial tubes (airways) Normal Chronic bronchitis LUNGS Normal Alveoli (air sacs) Emphysema
Major Causes of COPD Leading cause: Cigarette smoking Smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of all COPD. The earlier in life you start smoking and the more cigarettes you smoke each day, the more likely you are to develop COPD. The number one way to slow down COPD is to STOP SMOKING. In a small number of people, a rare genetic risk factor causes emphysema. These people lack a protein known as alpha-1 antitrypsin.
Other Causes that can put you at risk for COPD: Second-hand smoke Air pollution Exposure to hazardous substances in the air, such as dust and chemicals. Severe chest illnesses when you were a child and over-sensitive airways Asthma (AZ- muh), also are risk factors
People with COPD may: Experience shortness of breath, often worsens with exercise Increased coughing with mucus/phlegm People with COPD may also feel: Anxious Frustrated Scared or worried Irritated or upset Embarrassed Depressed
What you can do to manage COPD Get the most from your medicines Use Oxygen safely if it is ordered for you Learn to do breathing exercises Stay active Drink plenty of water Eat a balanced diet Stop smoking Manage your stress Have a sick day plan
Get the Most from Your Medicines Most medications for COPD are inhalers. Some you use every day and others only when you need them. Every Day: Use even if you feel good Work only if in your lungs constantly Also called Controllers Use When Needed: For when your breathing gets worse Act quickly to help you breathe better Always carry it with you Also called Rescue medicine Other Medicine: You may be prescribed Oxygen to help you breathe If sick, you may be given Steroids or Antibiotics
Inhalers you may be using: Types of Inhalers Mist Inhalers Spacers Powder Inhalers
Tips for Using Inhalers Use your controller inhaler consistently and you will need the rescue inhaler less. Use your rescue medication when you need it right away. Your inhalers will be more effective if you use them right, make sure you know how and are using them correctly. Some inhalers are more effective when used with a spacer. Talk to your physician about using one. Keep your inhalers clean and make sure they are functioning properly Some inhalers require that you rinse your mouth after, it prevents infections Bring all your medications to your doctor visits, including your inhalers. Rinse and gargle with water after using any steroid inhaler. Clean your spacer with soap and water once a week, then air dry. You may get a counter from your pharmacy to keep track of when your inhaler is getting low.
Using Oxygen Oxygen tips: Your doctor may tell you that you need extra oxygen Oxygen may help you: Catch your breath Be more active Sleep better Have more energy Live longer The more you wear oxygen the more it will help you Use at night while you sleep Keep the oxygen company number handy Make sure to order before you run out Have a back up tank Call the power company and tell them you are on oxygen Check with your carrier on oxygen use while you travel Use water based lubricants for your nose and mouth if they become dry, Vaseline is flammable so do not use
Oxygen safety and maintenance Oxygen can cause fires! Do not smoke or allow smoking in your house Keep oxygen at least 5 ft. away from open flames or heaters Do not use anything flammable while using Secure in upright position Keep phone and extinguisher near Wash: Nasal prongs twice a week with soap and water and replace every 2 weeks Concentrator with damp cloth, service it once a year Filter with soap and water, and let air dry. Change every week Humidifier bottle between each refill with soap and water, then air dry. Do not use tap water, use sterile or distilled water Replace: Tubing every 2 months or when stiff or wet inside Both tubing and cannula if you have been sick Mask every 2 weeks
Breathing Exercises Breathing and coughing exercises can help open up your lungs and feel better. Pursed lip breathing: 1. Slow breath in through your nose, count to 2 2. Purse lips and slowly breathe out, count to 4 Blow out like you are blowing bubbles, not hard 3. Repeat 4 or 5 times The good cough: 1. Do pursed lip breathing 3 or 4 times 2. Let your belly push out as you take a slow, deep breath in 3. Hold your breath for a count of 4 4. Tilt chin up and open lips 5. Push out air with belly in short quick bursts
Breathing and Relaxation Exercises Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing, relaxation and saving energy help open up your lungs, allowing you to feel better. Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing: Lie on your back on a flat surface or in bed, with your knees bent. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe Inhale slowly through your nose, feeling your stomach expand with your hand. Slowly exhale through pursed lips, letting your stomach muscles fall inward as you exhale Rest and repeat. Relaxation: Becoming short of breath may cause you to feel anxious and panic. Relaxation techniques can help prevent this cycle. To help with relaxation, try: yoga, positive imagery, alternate tensing and relaxing of muscles. Diaphragmatic and pursedlip breathing (see above) will also help you relax.
Be More Active Staying active is good for your heart and lungs. Any exercise will help you feel stronger and breathe easier. Find motivation, such as walking with friends Engage in tasks that keep you active, like gardening Wear clothes and shoes that fit well Stop if you feel dizziness or have severe shortness of breath Drink plenty of water Push yourself but don t overdo it Exercise inside if it s smoggy or humid Poor air quality such as fire, smog and increased humidity
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Your doctor may suggest you go to pulmonary rehabilitation for you Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you: Feel better Be more confident Build your strength Deal with stress Stop smoking Ask you doctor whether you can go on pulmonary rehabilitation
Choose or write down 1 or 2 things you will do in the next few weeks: What helps us be successful at making changes for our health? Making our goals specific Attempting small baby step changes Working on changing things we really want to change Working on those things we feel confident we can change I will exercise until I have to rest for 1 or 2 minutes. When I catch my breath, I will do it again I will ask my doctor if Pulmonary Rehab is right for me. I will take a 15 min. short walk every day. I will find a partner to exercise with. I will get up and move around during TV commercials. I will work in the yard for 30 min. 2 days this week. I will practice the pursed lip breathing 2 times each day. I will. for example: practice good coughing 2 times a day keep an exercise and activity journal
Plan for when you don t feel well If you are having trouble breathing, wheezing more, or feeling more tired than usual: Rest Do your breathing exercises Use your rescue medicine Tips to avoid getting sick: Stay away from sick people. Remind others to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing Wash your hands often, especially when someone around you is sick Get your flu shot every year Make sure you have had your pneumonia shot Eat lots of fruits and vegetables Drink plenty of fluids if ok with your doctor Get plenty of rest
When you don t feel well Be aware of the times when your breathing gets much worse than usual. Call your doctor if: You are wheezing much more than usual Your rescue medicines aren t working like they normally do You are coughing more, or coughing up a different color phlegm or mucus You have a fever You are scared or worried Your legs are swelling more than usual Call 911 if You are breathing very fast and hard, and your rescue medicine doesn t help Your chest feels tight for more than 5 minutes Your lips, hands or feet turn blue You can t finish a sentence in 1 breath
Sick Day Plan Speak to your doctor or Care Manager about establishing a sick day plan Share your sick day plan with family Refer to your Sick Day Plan when you don t feel well MY SICK DAY PLAN This is the plan for the days I don t feel well Check: Weight Blood Pressure Blood Sugar Temperature Call My Doctor Leave your sick day plan where you can see it
Free yourself from smoking For most people it takes many tries to stop smoking, but millions of people have stopped smoking! Some tips to quit: Pick a quit date and make a plan of how you will quit Tell everyone you will stop smoking and get their support If you need help, talk to your doctor about getting medication Lack of concentration Make a plan of what to do when you have Cranky, on edge and hungry cravings On your quit date, throw away everything that Tiredness makes you think about smoking Dizziness Get a free personal quitting coach by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) Headaches Most Common withdrawal symptoms Cravings for cigarettes But you will also notice: Your blood pressure will go down, sense of smell and taste will get better and it will be easier to breathe
Quiz: Which of the following is NOT a way to manage your COPD? a. Exercise b. Quit smoking c. Eat a low sugar diet d. Use rescue medication promptly Pursed lip breathing is good to a. Whistle while you work b. Open your lungs and help you feel better c. Keep your whistler in order d. Help keep your chest clear If you have COPD staying active is important because a. You will look younger b. You may loose weight c. You can do activities with friends d. It will help you feel stronger and breathe easier
Having a Sick Day Plan is important because: a. It will help you prevent a health crisis b. You will know what to do on the weekend c. You can plan when you will be sick d. Others will know when you plan to be sick Got most or all the answers right? GREAT JOB!!!!! Good steps to quit smoking are all of the following EXCEPT: a. Make a plan of how you will quit b. Keep all your routines the same c. Find something to do for when you get cravings d. Let family and friends know you are quitting Answers: C B D A B
Don t let COPD get you down You too can take control of COPD and have a fulfilling life! Additional Resources http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/index.htm#copd http://www.chestnet.org/foundation Thank you for your participation!!!