Helpful Tips for Assisting a Loved One with Symptoms of COPD
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Helpful tips for assisting a loved one with symptoms of COPD
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is one of the most common lung diseases.
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• It makes breathing, an involuntary action people often take for granted, a very difficult task.• There are two main forms of COPD, chronic bronchitis, which involves a long-term cough with mucus, and emphysema, which involves destruction of the lungs over time.• Most people with COPD have a combination of both conditions.
Chronic BronchitisNormal
Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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If your loved one has COPD, there is plenty you can do to help.
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• However, understand it’s a tall task and can become exhausting. • There are good days and bad days with COPD. • “Cabin fever” is common for both the patient and family members, along with depression.
Here are some things you can do as a family caregiver to make your loved one’s life easier:
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Avoiding crises with COPD – With bad times and occasional rushing to the ER, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. • However, with the COPD Management Tool, developed by the American Lung Association, you can develop a plan of action with your doctor. • It allows you to prevent crises through disease management.
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Breathing and anxiety: Proven relaxation techniques – First, to help breathing, breathe slowly through your nose, counting to five. • Then exhale slowly, counting to five, and repeat. • Also, you can use muscle relaxation. • Tense and relax your muscles, counting to five while tensing and to 30 when relaxing. • Also, visualize yourself at a peaceful place, such as a beach or mountains.
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Eat smarter – Limit sugary food. Fats produce the least carbon dioxide, which we need to exhale out of our bodies. • Also, limit foods that produce gas, like carbonated beverages, and stay away from salt. • Two servings a day of protein is recommended, because it maintains respiratory muscles. • For eating habits, consider eating four to six small meals a day and eat earlier in the day.
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Prevent fatigue – In order to stay energized and on top of things, plan for the entire day and pace activities. • Allow ample time for what needs to get done, alternate activity with rest, work smarter and get help when you can. • Also, sit down whenever possible. Learning to operate on “cruise control” can help a loved one get the most out of his or her energy.
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Beat “cabin fever”– Reach out to people by maintaining relationships with friends and family. • Create personal, stay active and get out of the house. • Finally, family caregivers shouldn’t hesitate to talk to a doctor if they think they may be depressed.
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Prepare for the ER – COPD can result in frequent trips to the ER. • Create a kit equipped with medical information, insurance information, advance directive (preferences for life-sustaining treatment), a change of clothes and stress-relieving supplies such as water, snacks or reading material. • At the ER, support your loved one with calm attention, provide information to the staff if needed, ask for periodic updates, observe and take notes and get instructions.
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