COPD is a serious and disabling respiratory disease that causes the airways of the lungs to become obstructed or blocked, making it hard for the body to take in oxygen. Infections like colds and the flu can lead to flare-ups or a rapid worsening of COPD symptoms. This generally results in lengthy hospital stays and a drastic reduction of the amount of activity the person can do comfortably.

“With the cold and flu season upon us, it’s vital for Canadians to know how devastating a cold or flu can be for the many people with COPD,” says Mary Layton, founder of COPD Canada and a COPD patient. “COPD is a serious and disabling disease to live with, and catching a simple cold can cause COPD symptoms to spiral dangerously out of control.”

Prevention is KEY

People with COPD should do their best to avoid catching a cold or the flu. This is especially important for elderly people. Prevention and ways to stay healthy include getting a flu shot, staying away from ill friends and family, taking medications as prescribed and contacting a doctor immediately when cold or flu symptoms appear. Cold weather is a major trigger for flare-ups – a loosely draped scarf placed over the nose and mouth will warm and humidify the air before it is breathed in.

“I make sure I get a flu shot every year and encourage all my friends and family to help protect me by doing the same, as well as by staying away if they’re sick,” says Layton. “I see my doctor regularly, take my medications as prescribed, and get checked out as soon as I think I may have a cold or the flu. Flare-ups and trips to the hospital are not only alarming, but I know they can worsen my COPD permanently.”

Managing a flare-up

Patients should have a plan for what to do if they experience a flare-up. COPD Canada suggests that all people living with COPD develop a written plan of action with their physician. If they experience a flare-up, the plan helps quickly determine the best response – a doctor’s visit, an emergency room visit, or other action.

More information is available online at www.copd.ws.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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Many people with breathing difficulties are unsure about whether they or a family member may have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A lot of people are under the impression that both are treated in the same way and, although there are similarities in some respects, they are distinct diseases and are managed differently from one another.

Spirometry (a breathing test used to measure the speed and amount one can blow out) is the method used to determine if someone has asthma compared to COPD or another lung disease.

Most often, asthma is diagnosed in childhood, but asthma can develop at any age. The insides of the bronchial breathing tubes become swollen and the muscles around the airway tighten up. For those with asthma, there could be one trigger or more that can cause the airway to react. Some examples of triggers are allergies, colds, and smoke. More than 50% of people diagnosed with asthma have allergies. By avoiding triggers, understanding the difference between a preventer and a rescue inhaler and using them appropriately, and having a written action plan, it is possible to control asthma and carry on a relatively normal life with minimal asthma symptoms. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, your asthma may not be well controlled and you might want to see your health care provider.

1. Do you use your reliever inhaler (usually blue) more than 3 times per week?

2. Do you wake up due to nighttime symptoms once or more per week?

3. Do you have daytime symptoms more than 3 days per week?

4. Do you miss work or does your child miss school?

5. Does asthma stop you from exercising?

The Lung Association’s Asthma Action Helpline can assist those with asthma and can be reached by calling 1-800-668-7682.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are considered to be the major contributing diseases to the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are different from asthma. Cigarette smoking is the main cause in 90% of cases and COPD is usually diagnosed in people 40 and older. An early symptom could be shortness of breath. Too often, people with the beginnings of COPD assume their shortness of breath may be due to other reasons. Early diagnosis is extremely important in order to take action as soon as possible. The main focus starts with quitting smoking and avoiding second hand smoke. Medicine to control shortness of breath as well as cough and sputum and keeping oneself as active as possible is important in the management of COPD. There are programs available to teach those with COPD how to manage the disease. If you answer yes to any of the following, you might want to see your health care provider.

. Are you now or have you in the past been a regular smoker or exposed to second hand smoke?

. Do you cough regularly with or without mucus?

. Do you get short of breath doing simple tasks?

. Do you get colds more often than others that last a lot longer?

The Lung Association’s BreathWorks Helpline can assist those with COPD and can be reached by calling 1-866-717-COPD (2673).

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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Most of us take the simple act of breathing for granted. However, for the many Canadians living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), every breath can feel like a gift.

COPD is a serious and disabling respiratory disease that causes the airways of the lungs to become obstructed or blocked, making it hard for the body to take in and exhale oxygen. COPD, which may include chronic bronchitis or emphysema, slowly damages the airways. As the disease progresses it has a profound impact on sufferers’ lung function and quality of life.

People with COPD get tired very easily and need to adjust their daily activities to accommodate their energy level. Everyday activities such as getting dressed, climbing the stairs or carrying on a conversation while walking become difficult.

COPD is one of the only fatal diseases with a climbing rate of premature death. Since 1965, the death rate from COPD has increased by 163 per cent. By contrast, the death rates from heart disease and stroke have both declined by approximately 59 per cent. At least 714,000 Canadians are currently living with COPD, however it is estimated that over 50 per cent of people with COPD remain undiagnosed.

Causes and symptoms of COPD

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Second-hand smoke, air pollution and heredity factors can also cause COPD. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, reduced ability to go about daily activities and fatigue. People with COPD face the risk of exacerbations or flare-ups, which are a worsening of the disease and its symptoms. The more flare-ups a person experiences, the greater the likelihood the overall lung function and quality of life will deteriorate, leading to premature death.

“I make sure I take my medications properly and contact my doctor the moment I start to feel sick,” says Mary Layton, founder of COPD Canada and a COPD patient. “Flare-ups and trips to the hospital are not only alarming, but I know that they can worsen my COPD permanently.”

Living with COPD

While COPD cannot be cured, it can be treated. The goals of COPD management include preventing disease progression and improving symptoms, activity levels and quality of life. COPD management uses medicines to open the airways and reduce inflammation, and exercise training to keep the lungs active. To date, smoking cessation remains the single-most effective way to reduce the risk of COPD and slow its progression.

Tips for staying healthy include eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and rest, and avoiding cigarette smoke, air pollution and people who are ill. As well, people with COPD should get an annual flu shot.

More information is available online at www.copd.ws.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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