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Home Health Care Surviving With COPD
Everyone has the occasional cough. It usually comes with a cold and goes
away with little concern. It is when a nagging cough is accompanied by
shortness of breath and regular wheezing that most people become very
concerned about their health. These are some of the symptoms of Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). According to statistics from the
American Lung Association, more than 12 million Americans have a
diagnosis of COPD, the group of lung diseases that includes emphysema
and chronic bronchitis. There are likely another 12 million with it that
are undiagnosed. Causes There are many different causes of COPD. Most
of them involve frequent, constant and prolonged inhalation of
particles, such as tobacco smoke, dust and noxious fumes. The number one
cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. For non-smokers, pollution, cooking
gases and secondhand smoke are prominent causes of COPD. Effects It is
the root cause of several more serious medical conditions, and will .
These include heart failure, collapsed lung, pneumonia and malnutrition.
The early effects include an increase of mucus with coughing, frequent
bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis. COPD causes patients to become
fatigued easily, making it difficult to breathe after moderate or even
mild activity. Eventually, COPD patients may need frequent
hospitalization or at-home health care. In severe cases, home hospice
care may be useful. Treatments Many sufferers of COPD have a
combination of respiratory ailments, which makes their conditions more
difficult to endure and harder to treat. COPD can be fatal, and there is
no cure.
Its progress can be slowed down with lifestyle changes, medication and
sometimes surgery. This may include oxygen therapy, lung transplants and
use of steroids and inhalers. Coping Living with COPD on a daily
basis requires cooperation between household family members, patients
and their doctors. Some may need in home health care or private nursing
for daily assistance. Patients may need assistance from friends and
family members to quit smoking. Those who quit smoking have the greatest
benefit, as the disease will slow down dramatically. The patient’s
doctor may provide a patch to help someone quit more quickly and easily.
Another lifestyle change that will help those with COPD is a change in
diet. Eating a nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables and lean meats will
ensure high protein, vitamins and minerals, which are important for
staying as healthy as possible. Those with unwanted weight loss issues
may find it necessary to eat more calories with healthy foods.
Home Health Care Surviving With COPD
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Everyone has the occasional cough. It usually comes with a cold and goes
away with little concern. It is when a nagging cough is accompanied by
shortness of breath and regular wheezing that most people become very
concerned about their health. These are some of the symptoms of Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). According to statistics from the
American Lung Association, more than 12 million Americans have a
diagnosis of COPD, the group of lung diseases that includes emphysema
and chronic bronchitis. There are likely another 12 million with it that
are undiagnosed. Causes There are many different causes of COPD. Most
of them involve frequent, constant and prolonged inhalation of
particles, such as tobacco smoke, dust and noxious fumes. The number one
cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. For non-smokers, pollution, cooking
gases and secondhand smoke are prominent causes of COPD. Effects It is
the root cause of several more serious medical conditions, and will .
These include heart failure, collapsed lung, pneumonia and malnutrition.
The early effects include an increase of mucus with coughing, frequent
bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis. COPD causes patients to become
fatigued easily, making it difficult to breathe after moderate or even
mild activity. Eventually, COPD patients may need frequent
hospitalization or at-home health care. In severe cases, home hospice
care may be useful. Treatments Many sufferers of COPD have a
combination of respiratory ailments, which makes their conditions more
difficult to endure and harder to treat. COPD can be fatal, and there is
no cure.
Its progress can be slowed down with lifestyle changes, medication and
sometimes surgery. This may include oxygen therapy, lung transplants and
use of steroids and inhalers. Coping Living with COPD on a daily
basis requires cooperation between household family members, patients
and their doctors. Some may need in home health care or private nursing
for daily assistance. Patients may need assistance from friends and
family members to quit smoking. Those who quit smoking have the greatest
benefit, as the disease will slow down dramatically. The patient’s
doctor may provide a patch to help someone quit more quickly and easily.
Another lifestyle change that will help those with COPD is a change in
diet. Eating a nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables and lean meats will
ensure high protein, vitamins and minerals, which are important for
staying as healthy as possible. Those with unwanted weight loss issues
may find it necessary to eat more calories with healthy foods.
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