3 Ways to Boost Your Lung Power

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Medicine

Take a deep breath.
For most people, it’s not a big deal. But if you suffer from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), breathing may be one of the most difficult things you do.

COPD is a group of conditions that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD. But pollution and chemical fumes can also set you up for respiratory problems later in life.

Ex-girlfriend's Facebook page triggers man's asthma attackFaceboo

Social networking might have triggered asthma attacks for one young Italian man, who experienced breathing troubles whenever he accessed an ex-girlfriend's Facebook page.

Doctors are reporting the strange case in the The Lancet.

The 18-year-old man was depressed because his girlfriend had dumped him and also deleted him from her list of Facebook friends, while "friending" many new young men, the doctors explained in a letter to the journal.

The man, who was taking medications to control his asthma, used a new Facebook nickname to become the girl's friend again and see her picture on her Facebook profile. But every time he saw her picture, he suffered shortness of breath.

Facebook logins triggering asthma attacks

Correlations Between Childhood Academic Performance and Indoor Air Quality

For most parents, the academic success of their children is crucial, in that it is the very foundation that a child’s future is built upon. It is because of this, that a child’s ability to attend school on a regular basis is extremely important to their overall academic performance. Many people are unaware of the importance the environment plays in a child’s ability to succeed academically. One factor that can substantially limit a child’s ability to thrive physically and academically is that of poor indoor air quality. It is important to understand the part that indoor air quality plays in our school systems and how to improve it.

There have been numerous case studies and physical evidence that have highlighted the affects of poor IAQ on the respiratory system, and how it contributes to the onset of asthma. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism.” The evidence indicates that a child’s “overall performance decreases with illnesses or absences from school.” If a child is unable to attend classes or focus while at school, their grades will suffer because of this. Since many school professionals and parents are unaware of how detrimental poor IAQ can be to a child’s health and performance, they may attribute the child’s struggle to some other factor.

Lung Cancer and Sexuality

How Will Lung Cancer Affect My Sex Life?

By Lynne Eldridge MD, About.com Guide

Updated March 27, 2012

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Sexuality is an important part of what makes us human, but with lung cancer, the rigors of treatment can push physical intimacy to the back burner. You may be tired from treatments, or your loved one may feel uncomfortable broaching the subject as she focuses on concerns about your health. Despite its importance, healthcare professionals are often hesitant to bring up the subject of sex due to time constraints, consideration of privacy, and even their own comfort level in discussing sexuality. But we know that sexuality affects quality of life and psychological well-being for those living with cancer. What are the issues that affect sexuality with lung cancer, and what can you do to foster sexual (and subsequently emotional) intimacy during cancer treatment?

Issues That Can Affect Sexuality If You Have Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can affect sexuality in many ways, both due to the disease itself and the side effects of treatment. Understanding some of the issues can help you address those that you have some control over, and help your loved one know how he or she can best support you. Some of these include:

Physical issues: 

Changes in physical appearance – Your physical appearance (for example hair loss or weight changes) during treatment may make you feel less attractive or desirable as an intimate partner.

Symptoms of lung cancer – Common symptoms of lung cancer, such as a cough or shortness of breath, may worsen during sexual activity.

Fatigue – Fatigue is an almost universal concern with lung cancer. This can stem not only from the cancer itself and side effects of treatments, but from the demands of doctors visits and traveling for treatment.

The presence of visitors – Time spent with family and friends is very important, but they may forget that you need time to be alone with your partner.

Psychological issues: 

Anxiety about your condition, your treatments or more.

Depression and grief – Studies show that mood has a significant effect on physical function.

Loneliness – You may feel emotionally separated from your loved one as you now face different challenges.

Role changes – Taking on the role of caregiver changes the dynamics of intimate relationships. A spouse may view a cancer patient more as a child than as a sexual partner, and feel uncomfortable with physical intimacy. You, the patient, can also be affected by assuming a role of accepting care more than giving it.

Guilt – Guilt due to the stigma of lung cancer, feeling that somehow an individual caused their disease and somehow deserves it, is common with lung cancer and can interfere with sexuality.

Tips For Enjoying Your Sexuality During Lung Cancer Treatment

Talk openly with your loved one
Share your needs and acknowledge one another's concerns. Anticipate that physical intimacy may need to be expressed in a different way as time goes on. Talk about how you can express your love if you are too fatigued for intercourse, or if coughing requires you to engage in quieter activities.

• How to Talk to Your Partner About Sexual Issues or Concerns

Share intimate physical moments that don’t involve intercourse
Be generous with touch. Hold hands during doctor’s visits. Sneak a kiss while the lab tech draws blood. Look back to the days when you first fell in love, and the special “little things” you did that drew you closer.

• Sexual Activities That Don't Involve Intercourse

Adapt according to your limitations
Positions such as side-by-side may require less energy. Have the partner without cancer take the more active role. Plan to have sex when you are well-rested and not directly following a heavy meal.

Give yourselves a special treat
Think of things that make you feel good and attractive to each other. A new outfit, a pampering massage, a special cologne, even a new hair color (assuming you have hair) may add a little spice. This is important for both of you, as caregivers often feel guilty pampering themselves while caring for a loved one with cancer.

Skip the booze
Alcohol can interfere with a healthy sex life even if you don't have lung cancer. That said, a glass of red wine might add a sparkle to the moment.

• Sexual Effects of Alcohol

Set “visiting hours”
One lung cancer survivor told me that trying to find time alone with her husband reminded her of when they had young children. Now they ask friends not to call or visit during “nap time.”

Nurture your spiritual life
An active spiritual life is associated with a healthier mood and greater emotional well-being, which in turn are linked with a more satisfying sex life with cancer. Spirituality means different things to different people -- organized religion, communing with nature, meditation, or the like.

Most importantly, express your love daily in as many ways as you can. A relationship that is based on love and respect and that is continually nurtured is the best foundation for sexual intimacy during cancer treatment.

Sources:
Gilbert, E. et al. Renegotiating Sexuality and Intimacy in the Context of Cancer: The Experiences of Carers. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2008. Dec 9. (Epub ahead of Print).

Goodell, T. Sexuality in chronic lung disease. The Nursing Clinics of North America. 2007. 42(4):631-8; viii.

Kotronoulas, G. et al. Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2009. Jan 9. (Epub ahead of print).

Lindau, S. et al. Communication about sexuality and intimacy in couples affected by lung cancer and their clinical-care providers. Psychooncology. 2011. 20(2):179-85.

Shell, J. et al. The longitudinal effects of cancer treatment and sexuality in individuals with lung cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum. 2008. 35(1):73-9

Shwartz, S. and J. Plawecki. Consequences of chemotherapy on the sexuality of patients with lung cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2002. 6(4):212-6.

gotquestions  http://lungcancer.about.com/od/livingwithlungcancer/a/sexuality.htm

COPD: 8 Ways to Avoid Infections

Patients with COPD must be extra careful to prevent infections that could affect their lungs.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD

For people who have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), avoiding infections such as colds and the flu is extremely important, because these illnesses can harm their lungs and possibly cause pneumonia.

COPD: Importance of Preventing Infections

Staying healthy is important for COPD patients because being infected with viruses, bacteria, and other infectious organisms can make you more susceptible to getting lung infections, which can lead to breathing difficulties. When you have a lung infection, your shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and other COPD symptoms can quickly get worse. And when you have any type of respiratory infection, there is a chance it could progress to pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.

COPD: Tips to Prevent Infections

Here are eight tips that can help you reduce your risk of developing an infection:

• Wash your hands. Regular hand-washing is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially when you are around a lot of people (for example, in a hospital or doctor's office, or at school or work).
• Avoid infections. "Stay away from people who you know have an infection," says Jane Whalen-Price, PT, director of rehabilitation services at National Jewish Health in Denver. Ask people who are sick not to visit until they are well again, and wear a face mask if you do have to come in contact with someone who has an infection.
• Clear your airways. "COPD patients should make sure they keep their airways open and clear of mucus," says Whalen-Price. Your doctor can provide you with devices and your respiratory therapist can teach you maneuvers that can make your coughing more productive, which helps to clear your airways.
• Stay hydrated. Whalen-Price says drinking plenty of fluids is part of practicing good bronchiole hygiene, which can reduce your risk of infection. Bronchioles are small airways deep in the lungs.
• Clean your equipment. All equipment that you use, including humidifiers, oxygen masks, and flutter valves, should be properly cleaned and maintained to ensure that they don't harbor infectious organisms.
• Get vaccinated. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines you should get. In general, people with COPD should get a pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar) once, as well as a flu vaccine every year. Revaccination for pneumococcal disease is controversial, but it may be right for you. Talk to your doctor to find out.
• Stay away from crowds. When possible, avoid large crowds, especially during cold and flu season. For example, "go to the store when it is less busy," says Phyllis Dibbern, PT, physical therapist at National Jewish Health, who has more than 30 years of experience in pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Treat infections as early as possible. Call your doctor at the first sign of infection, so it can be treated before it progresses to a more serious infection of your lungs. "When COPD patients notice a change in color of their sputum from white or clear to yellow or dark, they should go to their doctor before a major infection develops," says Dibbern.

Avoiding infections doesn't mean that you have to live in a bubble. You can still lead a normal, productive life when you have COPD, but you just need to take some extra precautions to protect yourself from getting sick. There is no way to completely prevent an infection, but by following these simple guidelines, you can increase your chances of staying healthy.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/copd-avoid-infections.aspx

The Best Diet for COPD Patients

A healthy diet can play an important role in the management and treatment of COPD.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Finding the right diet can be tricky for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), since they need to eat a healthy diet and maintain their optimal weight to keep COPD symptoms in check.

COPD: The Impact of Body Weight

For COPD patients, maintaining a healthy weight is important for controlling symptoms.

"If you're overweight, you have to carry more of your weight around," says Barry Make, MD, co-director of the COPD program at National Jewish Health in Denver and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado. Having more weight to carry around can increase shortness of breath, which is one of the primary symptoms of COPD.

With that said, it’s even more crucial for COPD patients not to be underweight. "Being overweight is bad, but being underweight is probably even worse in COPD patients," says Dr. Make. "A lot of COPD patients want to lose weight, but we tell them not to lose too much." According to Make, losing too much weight when you have COPD is associated with a poorer prognosis, or worse long-term outlook. In addition, not weighing enough can zap your energy, making it difficult to adhere to your COPD management plan.

COPD: Nutrition Tips

Talk with your COPD medical team about the nutrition plan that is best for you. They may recommend that you see a nutritionist, who can work with you to develop a meal plan to best meet your needs and monitor your progress along the way.

In general, people who have COPD should consider the following to maintain an optimal weight:

• Monitor calories: If you are overweight, you can lose weight by eating fewer calories. But don't eat so few calories that you feel fatigued and hungry all of the time. If you need to focus on maintaining your body weight, talk with your medical team or nutritionist about the foods you should be eating to keep the weight on.
• Avoid fad diets: "Fad diets are not appropriate for COPD patients," says Make. Make recommends that COPD patients eat a healthful, balanced diet instead of going on fad diets to control weight.
• Focus on protein: Work with your medical team and/or nutritionist to determine the amount of protein you need. "A lot of people do not get enough protein in their diet," says Make. Make says that protein is particularly important for COPD patients who are exercising as part of their pulmonary rehabilitation plan.
• Watch your portions: "We tell our COPD patients to eat small meals frequently, rather than large meals," says Make. Eating several small meals throughout the day instead of two or three large meals can help lessen shortness of breath.
• Get balanced: Focus on consuming fruits, vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Limit salt: Consuming excessive sodium can lead to fluid retention, which can worsen your shortness of breath.
• Remember your oxygen: If your medical team recommends it, use supplemental oxygen during and after meals to aid in digestion.

A healthy diet is an important part of a COPD patient's treatment plan. Eating the right foods can help manage your symptoms, make you feel better overall, increase your energy level, and give your body the fuel it needs to fight infection. It takes energy to breathe when you have COPD, so feed your body well.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/diet-for-copd-patients.aspx

Enjoy Sexual Intimacy With COPD

Don't let fatigue and shortness of breath rob you of intimacy.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH

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For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sexual intimacy can be difficult. COPD can lead to fatigue and limit your ability to exert yourself. COPD can also cause you to feel emotionally distant from your partner. With a little extra effort, though, you can still enjoy sexual intimacy despite COPD.

COPD: Effects on Sexual Activity

There are a number of reasons why COPD can impact your sex life, including:

• Shortness of breath: The most obvious way COPD impacts sexual relations is that it can cause shortness of breath when people with COPD overexert themselves. This makes it difficult for a person with COPD to enjoy intimacy.
• Fatigue: People who have COPD often have less energy, which can also make it tough to "get in the mood" for sex.
• Emotions: COPD can lead to depression and anxiety, which can be emotional barriers to sex.
• Nerves: The pressure of having to perform during sex and concern that your symptoms might flare up can cause you to feel nervous about having intercourse.

COPD: Tips to Stay Intimate

If you have COPD, here are some suggestions to help preserve your sex life:

• Think outside the box: "It is important to think about sex in a broader perspective," says Barry Make, MD, co-director of the COPD program at National Jewish Health and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Make recommends kissing and cuddling when you don't feel up to having actual sexual intercourse. Simply touching each other can be just as fulfilling as, and sometimes even more intimate than, intercourse for you and your partner.
• Use less energy: "Think about how to reduce the work that is being done by you if you are the COPD patient," says Make. He suggests you find a position that is the least physically demanding for you. Have your partner do a little more of the work so you are able to preserve your energy.
• Take medications: Taking prescribed medications and using supplemental oxygen prior to sex can be beneficial, says Make. Some people are able to manage their symptoms by using bronchodilators right before having sex.
• Get educated: Take your partner to one of your medical appointments and talk with your doctor, nurse, or respiratory therapist about whether sex is safe for you and what modifications will make having sex easier. Sometimes your medical team can help alleviate your or your partner's fear that sexual activity could harm you.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can build up your strength and endurance so that you will be able to tolerate the physical exertion of sexual activity with less shortness of breath.
• Rest when you need to: Get plenty of rest before you have sex, and take breaks during sex so that you don't overexert yourself.
• Clear your airways: Try to rid yourself of any excess bronchial secretions before sex.

You shouldn't have to give up sex because you have COPD. Talk openly with your partner and your medical team and make adjustments so that your sex life doesn't go by the wayside because you have COPD.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/sexual-intimacy-with-copd.aspx

11 Ways to Make Mealtime Easier With COPD

COPD may make it difficult to get needed nutrition. Being strategic with meal planning and food preparation can help you work around the fatigue and shortness of breath you feel.

By Madeline Vann, MPH

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Struggling with COPD, specifically the fatigue and shortness of breath that come with it, can leave you struggling to prepare and eat even the simplest meals. Yet it's possible to bring joy and nutrition back to your daily menu, despite COPD symptoms.

"For people with COPD, it's challenging and exhausting to eat and take a breath at the same time," explains registered dietitian Carol Wolin-Riklin, MS, RD, an instructor in the department of surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School.

As tiring as it can be to eat, people with COPD still want to enjoy mealtime. A survey of 81 people with COPD showed that the majority wanted more information on what to eat and how to manage their symptoms.

COPD and Diet: A Primer

"When you have a hard time eating, every bite should provide nutrition," advises Wolin-Riklin.

Here is a brief outline of a healthy COPD diet:

• Calories. Living with COPD symptoms takes so much energy that you may need to increase your diet's calorie count to 3,000 or more a day. Work with a dietitian to figure out exactly how many calories you need.
• Protein. People with COPD often experience muscle wasting because of the way their bodies use protein. As a result, higher-protein diets are advised, as long as you don't have other conditions that this would negatively impact, says Wolin-Riklin. Check with your doctor first, especially if you have any illnesses that affect the kidneys. Nut butters, smoothies or shakes with protein powders, chicken, and fish are all easy-to-prepare protein sources.
• Fruits and vegetables. Eat as many as possible and in a rainbow of colors to get various nutrients. If you don't want to chew raw veggies, steam them, puree them for soups, or try low-sodium vegetable juices.
• Healthy fats. Opt for foods with omega-3-fatty acids, such as cold-water fish, like salmon and sardines, and healthy fats such as olive oil. These are good sources of additional calories and may also help cut down on inflammation overall.
• Fiber. Aim for 25 grams of fiber daily. You might need to take fiber supplements to reach that amount.
• Limited carbohydrates. You need some carbs, but eating too many can increase the carbon dioxide in your blood. Stick with six to eight servings throughout the day.

11 Tips to Make Mealtimes Easier

Struggling to eat the same way you did before COPD symptoms took over simply won't work. Instead, try these strategies:

• Select prepared foods. If you don't have someone to cook for you, Wolin-Riklin suggests buying prepared foods as much as possible. Prepared foods do not have to be expensive — consider choices like hot, store-roasted chicken instead of roasting one yourself. Check whether your household qualifies for a Meals on Wheels program or another service that delivers prepared hot meals.
• Rethink dinnertime. "Find the time of day you feel best, and make that your biggest meal," advises Wolin-Riklin. For most people, that's early afternoon. It's fine to spend the rest of the day enjoying healthy snacks or eating liquid meals, such as smoothies or shakes with added protein or nutrient powders.
• Freeze extras. If you have leftovers or muster up extra energy to cook at certain times, freeze meal-sized portions you can easily reheat on a day you're feeling tired.
• Avoid carbonated beverages. Fizzy drinks will make you feel uncomfortable and bloated, putting pressure on your lungs and airways from below. Gas-producing foods, such as beans, may also make you uncomfortable unless you take an over-the-counter supplement such as Beano at the beginning of the meal.
• Choose low-salt foods. Look for low-salt labels, or make sure caregivers don't add salt to foods they prepare for you. Too much salt (you want only about 1,500 milligrams a day) can cause fluid retention, which adds to COPD symptoms.
• Eat small but frequent meals. Wolin-Riklin says this approach, which should result in five or six mini-meals, will help you feel less tired while eating and get consistent energy and nutrition through the day. Keep small high-calorie snacks, such as peanut butter and apple slices or cheese and crackers, on hand when you're out of the house.
• Ease your chewing. A number of people get in the habit of eating large mouthfuls quickly, but people with COPD do best with small bites of easy-to-chew foods. Instead of thinking of this as restrictive, consider that chewing small bites slowly helps you appreciate the flavor of your meal.
• Sip liquid throughout the day. It's important to get enough fluids — water, juices, smoothies, and soups. Try sipping 6 to 8 cups of water and possibly meal-replacement drinks like Boost or Ensure, over the course of the day instead of drinking a lot of fluid at one time.
• Wear your oxygen. If you have been prescribed oxygen, wear your nasal cannula while you eat. This allows you to breathe and eat at the same time more easily, says Wolin-Riklin.
• Eat sitting up. You'll breathe more easily while you eat and swallow more safely if you eat sitting up rather than reclining in bed or a chair.
• Be dairy-aware. Some people feel like dairy increases their mucus production. If this sounds familiar, try a milk alternative like soy or almond milk.

If you make these adjustments and still have difficulty eating and breathing at the same time, talk with your doctor or your pulmonary rehabilitation team to get some more ideas about how to cope.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-function/mealtime-easier-with-copd.aspx

COPD Blog: Inhaled Medications for COPD: Are the Steroids Dangerous?

Robert T. Schreiber, MD, an American Lung Association in New York expert

Many patients with COPD are prescribed inhaled medications to help treat symptoms of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. However, some patients are reluctant to take them because they mistakenly think that all inhaled medications are steroids, and they’re afraid of the side effects. A patient might hear from family or friends that these medications have many adverse reactions — but they’re usually wrong.

Inhaled medications for COPD include short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators, and neither of them are corticosteroids. Patients with mild COPD and only intermittent symptoms are prescribed a short-acting bronchodilator, or short-acting beta agonist (SABA), to use when symptoms occur. Typically, these come in a metered dose inhaler and contain a quick onset medication (for example, albuterol). These medications are sympathomimetics (distant cousins of adrenalin), and work to open up the bronchial tubes quickly. A dose from a short-acting bronchodilator works rapidly and then leaves the body quickly, wearing off between four and six hours. The side effects are temporary, and may include nervousness, shakiness, increased heart rate or blood pressure, and insomnia. They do not have long-term consequences if used as directed.

Patients who have advanced COPD and persistent symptoms may be prescribed a long-acting bronchodilator as the next step in their treatment. Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) help to keep the bronchial tubes open for up to 12 hours. They are similar to SABAs in their action and side effects, and are also part of the sympathomimetics family. Salmeterol and formoterol are both LABA bronchodilators. Another type of long-acting bronchodilator is in the anticholinergic family. Tiotropium is the only long-acting inhaled anticholinergic currently available in the U.S. The most common side effects from this type of medication are dry mouth, constipation, and problems with urination, and they should be taken with caution by patients with glaucoma.

Recent medical research has shown that patients with moderate to severe COPD who took a combination of a LABA and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) had fewer exacerbations of their COPD in the course of one year. These combined medications (fluticasone plus salmeterol; budesonide plus formoterol) contain an extremely tiny dose of the corticosteroid, which is measured in micrograms. For comparison, oral doses of corticosteroids given to patients with COPD exacerbations typically contain 100 to 1000 times the amount found in the inhaled doses, and they’re measured in milligrams. In addition, most of the corticosteroid that is inhaled doesn’t travel beyond the lungs — very little gets into the blood stream and travels to the rest of the body.

While COPD medications are generally considered safe, there are some short- and long-term side effects that you should be aware of. When taken for many years, an ICS may increase the chance of osteoporosis, cataract formation, and skin bruising. It has also been suggested that the LABA-ICS combination may increase the chance of getting pneumonia. However, in medical practice, we typically don’t see the side effects from an ICS that people taking corticosteroid pills or shots may experience, such as face swelling, fluid retention, elevated blood sugar and blood pressure, and bone thinning.

So, most inhaled medications prescribed for COPD do not contain steroids. But even combined medications that have an ICS contain only small amounts and are usually safe for most people. Of course, everyone is different, and you may react differently than someone else to a medication. Therefore, you should always discuss the potential benefits and risks of a new treatment with your doctor before you start to take it.

Dr. Schreiber is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of Nassau Chest Physicians, P.C., who are actively involved with the American Lung Association in New York. Schreiber is director of the SICU at St. Francis Hospital, medical director of the Oyster Bay Cove Village Police Department, and a member of the Nassau County Medical Reserve Corps. He is on the professional staffs of St. Francis Hospital, North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset and Plainview), and St. Joseph Hospital.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/inhaled-medications-for-blog.aspx

COPD Treatment Tips to Keep You on Track

Managing COPD means staying on track with a good treatment plan. Get tips for managing symptoms, exacerbations, and other COPD issues.

By Chris Iliades, MD

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

You can live well with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) if you get the right COPD treatment plan and stick to it. The goals of a good COPD treatment plan are to manage and avoid COPD symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, manage COPD exacerbations and emergencies, and improve your general health and well-being.

It's important to learn as much as you can about your condition and work closely with your treatment team. That means taking all your medications on time and keeping all of your treatment appointments.

Medications that your doctors prescribe — bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics — help keep your COPD symptoms under control, but there is also a lot you can do on your own to stay on the right track.

COPD Treatment Action Plan

The American Lung Association recommends that people with COPD work with their doctor to develop an action plan based on their specific COPD symptoms. Every plan is different, and your plan may change over time. But an action plan should outline specific steps depending on your symptoms. Here is an example:

• Green zone. You are in this zone when your symptoms are under control. Take all your daily medications, keep all your scheduled doctor appointments, and follow your exercise and diet regimens.
• Yellow zone. COPD symptoms like feeling breathless, increased cough, increased phlegm, decreased appetite, and trouble sleeping could be symptoms of a COPD exacerbation. Your action plan should outline how to take your rescue medications, when to use oxygen, and how to use breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing. It should also discuss when to call your doctor.
• Red zone. If you have COPD symptoms like severe shortness of breath, chills and fever, confusion, chest pain, or coughing up blood, your action plan goes into emergency mode. Have your emergency contacts ready, call 911 if you need to, increase your oxygen, and get help right away.

COPD Tips to Stay on Track

In addition to following your treatment plan, you can help keep your COPD under control by avoiding potential complications, watching out for anxiety and depression, and making sure you have a good support system. Here’s how:

• Preventing COPD flares. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke are two of the most important things you can do to help control COPD symptoms. Air pollutants, allergens like dust and mold, and chemical fumes can also cause a COPD exacerbation. Keep your windows closed and stay indoors as much as possible when pollen and pollution levels are high. Also, make sure to get flu and pneumonia vaccines to help avoid the complication of infection.
• Avoiding depression. Having COPD can make it hard to sleep, enjoy food, and do many of the activities you once enjoyed. Feeling down occasionally is normal, but clinical depression — when feelings of sadness and other symptoms last for more than two weeks — is dangerous. Depression may keep you from sticking to your treatment plan. Learn the symptoms of depression and ask for help if you need it. Treatment for depression may be an important part of managing your COPD.
• Understanding COPD anxiety. Your brain has a region that sets off an alarm signal when oxygen levels are low. For people with COPD, this region can become overly sensitive and send off alarm signals that feel like an anxiety attack. If you are worrying about your breathing all the time, especially if you are afraid to leave the house because of it, you may need help managing anxiety. Treatments such as breathing exercises, counseling, and medication can help keep anxiety under control.
• COPD support. Managing COPD can be tough, but you don't have to do it alone. Talk to your friends and family about your physical and emotional needs. Many find that joining a COPD support group offers an opportunity to share with others who understand. A support group can be a source of experience, strength, and hope, and can help you keep your COPD treatment on track.

Your COPD treatment plan is a lifelong process. Sticking with the plan is the best way to keep living well with COPD, and staying in close touch with your health care team will allow you to adjust your COPD treatment plan over time.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/copd-treatment-tips.aspx