Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a long-term lung disease that causes breathing problems. The term COPD is used to describe certain diseases that partially block airflow in the lungs. The most common types of COPD are emphysema (em-fi-SEE-mah) and chronic bronchitis (brong-KEYE-tis). People often have emphysema and chronic bronchitis at the same time. Treatments for COPD include medicines to help you breathe easier, lung exercises, and avoiding colds and the flu. You may need oxygen as your COPD gets worse.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• You may need medicines to help you feel breathe easier, or to prevent other lung problems. These medicines may include one or more of the following:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
    
    
  • Diuretics: This medicine is often called "water pills". Diuretics help your body get rid of extra fluid (edema) in your legs and ankles. This medicine may also help get rid of extra fluid in your lungs or around your heart. It may also decrease your blood pressure. You may urinate more often when taking diuretics.
    
    
  • Inhalers and nebulizers: Your caregiver may give you one or more inhalers to help you breathe easier and cough up mucus. An inhaler gives your medicine in a mist form so that you can breathe it into your lungs. This type of medicine may also be given using a nebulizer, or "breathing treatment machine". Using inhalers and nebulizers the right way takes practice. Ask your caregiver for more information about using inhalers and nebulizers correctly.
    
    
  • Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It may be given through a nasal cannula, or prongs, instead of a mask. A nasal cannula is a pair of short, thin tubes that rest just inside your nose. Tell your caregiver if your nose gets dry or if the mask or prongs bother you. Ask your caregiver before taking off your oxygen. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your oxygen is on. Doing so may cause a fire.
    
    
  • Over-the-counter medicine: Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are the kind you buy without an order (prescription) from a caregiver. OTC medicines (such as headache medicines) can help you feel better when they are used correctly. However, they can cause serious problems when they are not used correctly. Some OTC medicines that are safe for most people may not be safe for people with COPD. Some OTC medicines may react badly with your other medicines, or worsen your COPD symptoms. Using too much, or using these medicines for longer than the label says can also cause problems. Follow directions on the label carefully. Ask your caregiver for more information about which OTC medicines may be right for you.
    
    
  • Steroids: Steroid medicine may help to open your air passages so you can breathe easier. Do not stop taking this medicine without your caregiver's OK. Stopping on your own can cause problems.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Advice on breathing easier with COPD:

• Quit smoking: The only way to greatly slow the downhill course of COPD is to quit smoking. It is never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking will help you feel better and help you live longer. Quitting smoking is helpful, even for people with advanced (very bad) COPD. Never allow anyone to smoke around you.
  
  
• Avoid things that can irritate your lungs:
  
  
  • Avoid lung irritants, such as air pollution, dusts, and fumes (gases). Follow safety instructions if you must work with chemicals and dusts. Stay inside on days that the air quality in your area is bad. You may need to get a different job or move to a less polluted area. Avoid fireplaces and other sources of smoke.
    
    
  • Avoid high altitudes and places with high humidity (air moisture). Stay inside during very hot or cold weather. If you must go outside in cold weather, cover your mouth and nose with a clean scarf.
  
  
• Breathing exercises: Breathing exercises can help you breathe easier. Ask your caregiver which breathing exercises are right for you. The following are some examples of breathing exercises.
  
  
  • Pursed-lip breathing: Pursed-lip breathing can be used any time you feel short of breath. Pursed-lip breathing can be especially helpful before you start an activity.
    
    
    • __ 1. Inhale (breathe in) through your nose. Be sure you are using the muscles in your abdomen to help fill your lungs with air.
      
      
    • __ 2. Slowly exhale (breathe out) through your mouth with your lips pursed (slightly puckered). An example of pursed lips is when you pucker your lips to blow out a candle. You should make a quiet hissing sound as you breathe out through your pursed lips.
      
      
    • __ 3. Try to take as long as you can to breathe out. It should take you twice as long to breathe out as it did to breathe in. This helps you get rid of as much "used" air from your lungs as possible.
      
      
    • __ 4. Repeat this exercise several times. Once you are used to doing pursed-lip breathing, you can do it any time you need more air.
    
    
  • Diaphragmatic breathing: Diaphragmatic breathing can help strengthen some of the muscles you use to breathe.
    
    
    • __ 1. Place one hand on your stomach just below your ribs. Place your other hand in the middle of your chest over your breastbone.
      
      
    • __ 2. Breathe in slowly through your nose, as deeply as you can.
      
      
    • __ 3. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips. As you do so, tighten the muscles in your stomach. Use your hand to gently push in and up while tightening the muscles.
      
      
    • __ 4. Diaphragmatic breathing takes practice. You may need to practice this many times a day. Slowly increase the amount of time you spend during each practice session.
  
  
• Special positions while sleeping: You may have trouble breathing when lying down. Sleeping in a position with your upper body raised may help you breathe easier. You can use foam wedges or elevate the head of your bed. There are many devices that you can buy to help raise your upper body while in bed. Use a device that will tilt your whole body, or bend your body at the waist. The device should not bend your body at the upper back or neck.

How can I live a healthy lifestyle?

• Eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition can help your body fight illness. Eat a variety of healthy foods every day. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, and protein (such as chicken, fish, and beans). If you are underweight, eat frequent high-calorie meals and snacks. Ask your caregiver for more information about a diet that is right for you.
  
  
• Drink enough liquids. Be sure to drink enough liquids every day. Most people should drink at least eight (8 ounce) cups of water a day. This helps to keep your air passages moist and better able to get rid of germs and other irritants.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol dulls your urge to cough and sneeze. When you have COPD, you need to be able to cough and sneeze to clear your air passages. Alcohol also causes your body to lose fluid. This can make the mucus in your lungs thicker and harder to cough up.
  
  
• Balance exercise and rest. You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed. Ask your caregiver about an exercise program that is right for you. Try to have a regular program of exercise, such as walking for 20 minutes a day. Use your inhalers as directed by your caregiver before you exercise. Start your exercise by "warming-up" your muscles with gentle, slow movement and gentle stretching. Stop exercising if you become too short of breath.

How can I decrease my chances of getting lung infections? Lung infections can be especially dangerous for people with COPD. You can decrease your chance of getting lung infections by not smoking. Other things you can do to avoid illness include:

• Vaccines: Ask your caregiver if you should get vaccinated against the flu or pneumonia. The best time to get a flu shot is in October or November. Flu shots are good for one year. Pneumonia shots are good for five to six years. Ask your caregiver which vaccinations are right for you.
  
  
• Avoid spreading germs: You can decrease your chance of getting lung infections and other illnesses by doing the following:
  
  
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Carry germ-killing hand lotion or gel with you when you leave the house. You can use the lotion or gel to clean your hands when there is no water available.
    
    
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you have washed your hands first.
    
    
  • Always cover your mouth when you cough. It is best to cough into a tissue or your shirtsleeve, rather than into your hand. People around you should also cover their mouths when they cough.
    
    
  • Try to avoid people who have a cold or the flu. If you are sick, stay away from others as much as possible.

For more information:

• American Lung Association
  61 Broadway, 6th floor
  New York City, NY 10006
  Phone: 1-800-586-4872
  Web Address: http://www.lungusa.org
  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta, GA 30333
  Phone: 1-404-6393311
  Phone: 1-800-3113435
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You need to use your inhalers or take breathing treatments more often than usual.
  
  
• The amount or color of your sputum changes or becomes too hard to cough up. Also call if you start to cough up blood.
  
  
• You have new or worsening swelling in your legs, ankles, or abdomen (belly).
  
  
• You have trouble talking or doing your usual exercise or activities because of trouble breathing. Also call if you start having to use more pillows when sleeping, or start having to sleep in a chair to breathe at night.
  
  
• You have a new or worsening gray or blue tint of the nail beds or the skin of your fingers or mouth.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your condition or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You cannot get your breath or you begin to wear out from the effort of breathing.
  
  
• You become confused, dizzy, or feel like you may faint (pass out).
  
  
• You have new chest pain or tightness.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page