What can I do about my COPD?

“I have just been diagnosed with COPD” is a sentence we hear a lot.

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term used to cover several lung diseases such as emphysema and persistent bronchitis. It describes a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because your airways have been narrowed, broken down or become inflamed. This makes it harder to move air in and out as you breathe, and your lungs are less able to take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. Current figures show as many as 2 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with COPD and up to three times as many people may have not yet been diagnosed. Nearly 30,000 people die from COPD annually and over 1 million bed days per year are taken up by COPD patients. Alarming statistics and these figures are set to rise.

Causes

COPD usually develops because of long-term damage to your lungs from breathing in a harmful substance such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, dust, fumes or chemicals but you’re more likely to develop COPD if you have been a smoker. Genes can also play a role too. COPD does seem to run in families, so if your parents had chest problems then your own risk is higher. A rare genetic condition called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency makes people very susceptible to develop COPD at a young age.

Treatment

These days, treatment options for COPD have multiplied and include improved inhalers and rehabilitation. Treatment has been revolutionised with the introduction of acute non-invasive ventilation but can also involve medications, nebulisers, oxygen therapy and surgery such as lung reduction surgery or a lung transplant. The organisation and delivery of care has also improved with the development of integrated care models and self-management strategies to help you look after your health and avoid hospital admission. This is where you come in. Knowing all you can about your condition, your symptoms, your medications and how to cope with flare-ups will make your day-to-day life easier. You will feel better if you self-manage your condition and take some control of your life. So why not start today and take a look at The British Lung Foundation - an excellent resource providing no nonsense, honest, clear and helpful information.

A multi-disciplinary approach

To help you achieve this NHS Right Care have just launched its latest pathway aimed at tackling COPD. They’ve done this in collaboration with the British Lung Foundation, the British Thoracic Society, Respiratory Futures, the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS-UK), and the National COPD Audit Programme.

Key recommendations are ensuring early detection with accurate diagnosis and optimising long-term management to reduce exacerbations, hospital admissions and premature mortality. A multidisciplinary supportive care approach with clear signposting and navigation to help you access care and a psychological approach too, including help for the frightening breathlessness that comes with COPD. Community activation to overcome social isolation and help you stay physically active along with peer support and a self management plan supported by good information and patient training.

Eating well and keeping a healthy weight

It sounds simple but when you have a lung condition it can seriously affect your appetite, some of you feel too breathless to eat, so little and often is the key. A balanced diet is important for general well being and lots of vitamins and minerals will help fight off infections. Conversely being overweight can increase your breathlessness. Your respiratory nurse or doctor can provide you will nutritional advice to suit you. Russell Winwood takes nutritional health to the next level. He is man who refuses to be defined by COPD and regularly competes in Iron man competitions and runs marathons despite only having very limited lung function. “Since adopting nutritional changes to my lifestyle, in particular using a ketogenic diet, I have seen my FEV1 rise to an average of 35%” You can follow his fundraising adventures on his blog.

Don’t bottle things up

It helps when you have a long term medical condition to understand your mood and what causes you to feel down. Once you understand it, you can take steps to tackle it and take greater control of your life. Talking to a friend, relative or a health care professional can help. Why not find a local Breathe Easy group to meet people who have lived through similar experiences, share advice and support each other. The British Lung Foundation keep a list of local support groups so have a look for the closest one to you.

A diagnosis of COPD doesn’t mean that everything has to stop. Right now you might be reading this sitting at home fighting for your next breath. There is help out there. The internet is full of resources such as The British Lung Foundation who you can email or phone for advice. There are many blogs like Russell’s written by people who are happy to share their stories as well as hints and tips they have picked up along the way. Singing groups and Breathe Easy groups are littered up and down the country if you prefer support face to face or just fancy a chat. Respiratory nurses and doctors are more up to date than they have ever been and keen to assist you with all aspects of your COPD, and if anyone mentions a nebuliser or mucus clearance device you have us. You can ring, email or explore our website we’re always happy to help.

We supply models and accessories from the following reputable manufacturers.

• Philips Nebulisers
• Omron Nebulisers
• Pari Nebulisers
• Medix Nebulisers
• Beurer Nebulisers