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Healthy You Archives |
Coping with Illness
When It’s Hard to BreatheCoping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease “From the diaphragm!”Frank Vargo of Allentown learns proper breathing techniques from registered respiratory therapist Pamela Rock. To bring more air into his lungs, he inhales through his nose and exhales through pursed lips. His hand placement helps him feel the action of his lungs and diaphragm.“Give up smoking, but don’t give up living!”Beula Butchko, 86, has had COPD for 35 years, but the feisty Phillipsburg, N.J., woman is determined to live life as normally as she can. A smoker since high school, Butchko found quitting difficult. “After being hospitalized during a crisis, I decided I liked life better than cigarettes,” she says.Through the years, Butchko has slowed the progress of her disease by eating healthy, walking for aerobic exercise and using an elastic exercise band to strengthen her muscles. Six years ago she began oxygen therapy. “At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere, but the new systems are lightweight and easy to use,” she says. She still enjoys excursions to Atlantic City and annual Smooth Sailing Cruises for COPD patients. Chronic bronchitis — Inflamed airways produce too much mucus. Emphysema — Airways may prematurely collapse as you exhale, and lung damage may result. Chronic asthma — Irritants in the air (such as secondhand smoke or allergens) cause spasm in the airways. “Chronic bronchitis and emphysema co-exist in varying degrees in people with COPD,” says pulmonologist Jay Kaufman, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The disease has no cure, but it can be managed, and people with this condition can live fully for many years.” The most common test for COPD is spirometry, which measures how much air you blow out and how fast. “Once we diagnose the problem, we can appropriately treat the symptoms with medication, therapy and exercise,” Kaufman says. The first step in treatment is to keep COPD from progressing. “How that’s done is different for every patient," says registered respiratory therapist Pamela Rock of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. Clearly, if you smoke it’s time to quit (and a smoking cessation counselor can help). By keeping your weight down and exercising regularly—with guidance from a nutritionist or physical therapist if needed—you can make COPD symptoms less frequent and severe. “Exercise may cause shortness of breath at first,” Rock says, “but the more you exercise, the less fatigued you will be as you build muscle strength and stamina.” COPD also can be managed with medication. Most drugs are taken through an inhaler, and a respiratory therapist can offer tips on how to use it properly. He or she also can show you breathing exercises to increase your lung capacity and strengthen your diaphragm. (Some COPD patients even take up the harmonica or singing.) When these treatments aren’t enough, prescribed oxygen can help you avoid shortness of breath and be more active. It may even prolong your life. Depending on your condition, you may need oxygen all the time or just when you exercise or sleep. As with any disease, Kaufman says, the best strategy is prevention. Not smoking is the number-one way to prevent COPD. If you work near chemicals, dust or other pollutants, wear a clean mask. Regularly clean filters in heating and cooling systems. And if you suspect an allergy, see an allergist to find out what substances (pollen, mold, animal dander, dust mites, etc.) you need to avoid to prevent flareups of asthma. Want to Know More about breathing exercises , smoking cessation programs , or Lehigh Valley Tobacco Resource Center ? Click above. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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 May June 2006 Eating Healthy
Staying Fit
Caring for Mind and Body
Just for Women
Just for Men
Raising a Family
Heart of Healthy You
Protecting Your Health
Coping with Illness
Aging Well
Keeping Up to Date
Weight Control
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