Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is the umbrella term for lung disorders, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. Although there is no cure for COPD, adhering to a comprehensive disease management program can slow its progression and improve quality of life. In addition to following your healthcare team’s recommendations, here are a few strategies you can use to control your COPD.
- Stay Active
Exercise has many benefits for people with COPD. Aerobic exercise in particular can promote good circulation, enabling your body to use oxygen more effectively. It can also reduce your COPD symptoms, increase your stamina so you can do more activities, lower your blood pressure, help reduce stress, and strengthen your muscles and cardiovascular system. Talk to your COPD care team about what type of exercise you should be doing and how frequently. They’ll likely recommend a combination of strength, aerobic, and stretching moves, which you can build up in frequency and duration over time.
- Quit Smoking
Research suggests quitting smoking is the most effective way to slow the progression of COPD. If you haven’t already done so, make a plan to quit. This may include counseling, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or a combination of these approaches.
- Go For Pulmonary Rehab
Pulmonary rehab will help strengthen your lungs and increase their capacity, making symptoms easier to manage and allowing you to enjoy a more active life. You may learn breathing exercises that you’ll be able to practice at home as well, such as pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and deep breathing.
- Stay Up-to-Date On Vaccinations
Viral and bacterial infections can trigger COPD flares, which can be serious and require hospitalization. Talk to your healthcare provider about receiving vaccinations for influenza, pneumonia, and any other conditions as needed.
- Take Your Medications
While it may sound obvious, it’s important that you continue taking your prescribed COPD medications even when you feel well. These medications can prevent your symptoms from worsening. If needed, consider adding an alarm on your phone and a pill divider so you remember to take your medications each day.
Although COPD can’t be reversed, managing it proactively will allow you to feel your best. These strategies as well as a few others can help you control your symptoms and minimize the rate at which the disease progresses, helping you to enjoy your favorite activities.
This post was written by a medical professional at https://www.stemedix.com. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
Comments are closed.