By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: March 22, Medically Reviewed. Enlisting the support of family and friends may also help you in your smoking cessation efforts. Here are some tips to reduce your exposure to COPD-causing irritants: If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, make sure it's well ventilated.
Stay indoors if there's noticeable air pollution outside, such as smog or a nearby wildfire. Make your home an environment free from secondhand smoke. If you work in an environment where you are exposed to chemical fumes and dust, speak with your supervisor about respiratory protective equipment and other ways to protect yourself.
Facebook Twitter. The index takes into account four factors to determine a person's risk of death within a month period: B ody-mass index Degree of airflow o bstruction, based on FEV1 scores Functional d yspnea E xercise capacity, based on a test that measures how far people can walk in six minutes The BODE Index is also a good predictor of the number and severity of COPD exacerbations, according to previous research published in the journal Respiratory Medicine.
In severe cases, a lung transplant or surgery may be recommended to help improve lung function. Bullectomy People with a specific type of emphysema called bullous emphysema develop "air bubbles" called bullae due to the destruction of the walls between the air sacs in their lungs. Lung Transplant For younger patients under age 60 with severe COPD, getting a new lung or set of lungs is a good option.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 30, New England Journal of Medicine.
March 4, Respiratory Medicine. Do not ignore your symptoms they will not go away. Know when to call your provider and when to go to the Emergency Department. You can live a healthy and happy life with COPD.
Learn about the disease. Write down your concerns or areas where you want to see change and talk with your provider. Understanding how the disease can impact your life and what you can do to prevent or fix problems can help you take charge of your life and live the way you want to live. Masks are required for all patients, visitors, employees and staff. Thank you. Make an Appointment. Try these tips for managing COPD: 1.
Give up smoking Giving up nicotine is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Talk with your provider to determine which one may be most helpful to you: Medications Nicotine replacement therapy Self-help materials Counseling Group programs Learn more about quitting smoking. Eat right and exercise Shortness of breath that comes with COPD can make it hard to heat a balanced diet.
Eat small, more frequent well-balanced meals. Use a smaller plate and portions. Keep a bottle of water with you and drink before you eat. Eat one fresh vegetable or fruit with every meal. Keep moving to keep your muscle strength. Use a step counter to track how much you walk every day, then try to "beat" your number by one step the next day. Build muscle by lifting a can of vegetables or using a exercise band.
If physical therapy is prescribed, do your exercises and go to your appointments. Get rest Rest is important to over all health, but there are several things that can make sleep difficult if you have COPD.
Try to avoid napping so you are tired at bedtime. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. Don't do anything stimulating exercising, working, arguing 2 hours before bedtime. Have a small high-protein snack such as cheese and crackers, a glass of milk or handful of nuts before bed.
Avoid large meals and a lot of carbohydrates. See hospital and staff awards. Winchester Hospital was the first community hospital in the state to achieve Magnet designation, recognition for nursing excellence. Learn why. Our tremendous staff gives back to our community by coordinating free health screenings, educational programs, and food drives.
Learn more. A leading indicator of our success is the feedback we get from our patients. Nearly all cases of COPD can be prevented. Practice these preventive measures to reduce your risk of developing COPD.
Almost all COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. Never smoking, or quitting if you already smoke, are the single most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing COPD.
This preventive measure is particularly important if you have family members who developed COPD at a young age in their 30s or 40s. Be aware of air pollution alerts. Avoid outdoor activities when air quality is particularly poor. Do not exercise in areas where levels of car exhaust are high. Repeated lower respiratory infections, pneumonia , and acute bronchitis can produce scarring. This is particularly true in young children. Scarring contributes to the development of COPD.
Whenever possible, try to avoid close contact with people who have contagious respiratory infections. Get a pneumonia vaccination if you are 65 years or older, or have risk factors for pneumonia.
Make sure you get yearly flu shots. If someone in your family developed COPD but never smoked, or developed the disease at an early age, you may have a genetic defect that increases your risk of the disease. You should consider having a blood test to measure levels of alphaantitrypsin. This is an important protein that helps protect the lungs from damage due to inflammation.
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