You may feel overwhelmed when diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but you can live a long and active life. While COPD is a lifelong condition, you can manage it with the right care.
Our pulmonary physicians, Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Prashant Patel, at Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, understand the fears surrounding COPD and want to share some encouraging facts.
COPD is an umbrella term for conditions that obstruct the inflow of air into the lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD. Symptoms of COPD include difficulty breathing, frequent coughing, and fatigue.
COPD is a progressive condition, but taking steps to improve lung health may slow things down and help you live a long life. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your lungs and life. You should also follow your treatment plan to manage COPD and slow progression.
Feeling short of breath when climbing stairs may lead you to believe exercise is out with COPD, but that’s not true.
Regular exercise may improve lung health and function by strengthening supportive muscles. It also helps the body become more efficient at using oxygen, which may reduce shortness of breath.
Let us help you design an exercise plan that fits your health needs and goals. A well-rounded program should have stretching, aerobic, and strength-training exercises.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program for folks with breathing disorders like COPD. You work with specialists from many areas of medicine who educate you about your condition and teach you breathing techniques and exercises.
Participating in pulmonary rehab can improve symptoms and quality of life.
COPD symptoms vary, but a sudden worsening of symptoms is a flare-up that can last a couple of days. When you recognize the difference between your normal COPD symptoms and a flare-up, you can take steps that may prevent your symptoms from turning into a serious complication.
COPD flare-up symptoms may include:
Respiratory infections are a common cause of COPD flare-ups, and routine flu and pneumonia vaccinations may provide some protection. You also want to avoid COPD triggers like smoke and chemical fumes.
While there’s no cure for COPD, newer treatments are helping.
Ohtuvarye® is a recently approved inhalant that opens up the airway and reduces inflammation to improve breathing. Dupixent® is another new medication for COPD that targets specific inflammatory agents that lower inflammation in the lungs to keep the airway open.
These newer treatments are helping many people with COPD and may help you, too.
If your COPD symptoms affect your quality of life, we’re here to help. Our team can provide the services and treatments you need to live your best life. Contact us by phone or online today to schedule a consultation.
