...damn!
I got diagnosed with COPD ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ).
If that is not awesome, I don`t know what is.
Besides the obvious one, that I have to quit smoking, anyone got some advice on this?
Of course, I hope that none of you have it, but if you do, can you share your experience in living with this?
Thanks.
Man, I quit drinking, I exercise like I`m getting ready for the Olympics, I eat healthy, go to bed around 10-11, get up at 5, do my thing, live a quite life...and then...well, f..k.
As Freddie would say " Who wants to live forever? "...probably no one, but why can`t we just grow old without bringing a ton of diseases into your old(er) age?
Sorry for the whining, but...these are not easy news to handle...
Now for a more serious line of thought - maybe try some of these ideas?
Here are positive changes you can make to improve breathing with COPD:
Learn pursed-lip breathing. Here’s how to do this breathing exercise for COPD: Purse your lips and blow as much air out as you can before taking a deep breath in through the same pursed lips. Then slow down your breath so that you’re using as much of your lungs as you can. This technique slows your breathing rate and helps to keep your airways open, says Dr. Beuther.
Drink plenty of water. “Water helps thin mucus so you can clear it better,” Beuther says. “A lot of people with COPD are dehydrated.” Talk to your doctor to find out how much water you can safely drink, because some people with COPD have conditions that could be made worse by extra fluid.
Get informed. Learning about COPD and how your lungs function can help you better understand and manage the condition, Beuther says. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs often offer this type of education. Ask your doctor what’s available to you.
Sit well when COPD symptoms flare. If you do experience shortness of breath, practice a few key sitting positions that can help you breathe more easily. First, sit in a chair with your feet firmly on the floor and your elbows resting on your knees. Let your chest lean forward slightly and relax your neck and shoulder muscles. Or, you can try a variation of this next to a table: Sitting in a chair, lean your chest forward with your arms on a table, and rest your head on your forearms or pillows.
Exercise. Exercising regularly can make a big difference in breathing ability and COPD symptoms. “Many people with COPD are so focused on what they can’t do instead of what they can do," Beuther says. "A lot of people with COPD get more and more out of breath, but it’s not because of their lung function — it's because they’re deconditioned.” Most doctors recommend walking for people with COPD since it’s moderate in intensity and easily accessible.
Know and avoid your triggers. If you have COPD and allergies, take steps to avoid anything you’re allergic to. This may mean putting dust covers on your pillows and mattress or keeping your pets out of the bedroom, says Loutfi Aboussouan, MD, a pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute in Ohio. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can remove dust and other irritants from the air. You may also consider a humidifier if dry air triggers your symptoms. “Some COPD symptoms may improve in humidity, and others may get worse,” says Dr. Aboussouan. “A humidifier will only help if you breathe better in humid weather.”
Get your ZZZs. “When you sleep better, you’ll feel better and breathe better,” Aboussouan says. Many people with COPD have an underlying sleep disorder, like
sleep apnea, that makes it difficult to get good sleep. If you're having trouble getting the sleep you need, discuss options with your doctor.
Eat well. A healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods is needed with COPD to maintain strength and fight off infections. Eating healthy can help you lose weight and breathe easier. If you’re underweight, ask your doctor about the best foods to eat and if nutritional supplements are right for you.
Get your annual vaccines. Colds, the flu, and other respiratory illnesses can trigger COPD symptoms like shortness of breath, says Len Horovitz, MD, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Make sure you get the vaccines you need each year.
De-stress. Stress and COPD go together. Some people with COPD feel stressed and anxious about their breathing. Treating COPD effectively can help reduce this type of stress, Dr. Horovitz says. Exercise can also help you better cope with COPD and stress. Yoga is a great stress-reducing option. One study done at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science showed that people with COPD who practiced yoga for six weeks improved their quality of life and lung function, at least in the short-term range of the study.
Avoid all smoke. Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD. In fact, up to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking, according to the American Lung Association. “
Stop smoking as soon as you can, and if you don’t smoke, don’t start,” Horovitz says. Aboussouan says that "even second- or third-hand smoking is something to avoid.” Secondhand smoke, of course, comes from other people smoking around you, and third-hand smoke refers to the smell of smoke left behind on surfaces, such as clothing, carpets, and in cars. Other airborne irritants to avoid include oven cleaners, spray polish, and other household cleaning agents, especially if they contain bleach or ammonia. Be aware that you might also react negatively to perfumed soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics.
Take your medication. COPD medications can help manage symptoms, including shortness of breath. “Make sure you’re taking the right medications and get evaluated to make sure your lung function is as good as it can be,” Horovitz says. “COPD-related lung damage can’t be reversed, but it can be controlled.”
Sorry for that silly joke above, but whenever one of us would say Well... and then pause, my Mom or Dad always said "That's a deep subject!"
Healing vibes
Srbo