Simple Treatments Result in Greater Comfort for COPD Patients

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) more than 12 million Americans are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) each year, and an additional 12 million may have the disease and not know it. Although there is no known cure for COPD, there are simple ways in which you can lessen your symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, improve your overall health and breathe easier.

Most important, if you are a smoker speak with your doctor about programs that will help you quit and ensure the health of your lungs is not affected by any additional pollutants. Besides quitting smoking, there are several strategies you can use to help manage your disease. These include:

• Breathing techniques, such as belly breathing and pursing your lips when exhaling, will help slow down your breathing.
• Physical activity will also help your ability to breathe—and increases overall health. Keep movements simple and fluid, making sure not to overexert yourself and become short of breath.
• Minimize exposure to irritants such as pollution and dust. Check the weather for air quality forecasts, and when necessary stay indoors.
• Coughing helps rid your body of the mucus that builds up in your lungs. Ask your doctor about techniques to make your cough more productive.
• Use of inhalers such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids will relax the muscles around your airways and reduce inflammation, respectively.
• Use of nebulizer treatments will deliver a mist of medication to your lungs.
• Oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehab and in some cases surgery may be recommended as the severity of your COPD symptoms progress over time.

Medical devices are available that can help with COPD symptoms. One of the newest devices on the market is the Lung Flute, which uses low-frequency sound waves to stimulate your body's natural mucus-clearing system and loosen mucus that's deep in your lungs.

With COPD, it is important to note that if left untreated, the mucus that builds up in your lungs becomes a breeding ground for infection, which can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis and other illnesses. If your symptoms suddenly get worse or you are more breathless than usual, contact your doctor immediately to ensure that you do not have a lung infection.

Click Here to Access the Full Story from the Osceola Sentinel Tribune