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Coping with COPD: Small Steps Go a Long Way
Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is one
of the most serious diseases
most people have never heard of.
Only heart disease, cancer, and stroke
kill more Americans each year. But
unlike these diseases, the incidence
and deadliness of COPD are rising.
Prolonged exposure to coal or
asbestos can contribute to COPD.
But smoking causes four out of five
cases. Everyone’s lungs decline as they
age, but smokers’ lungs decline more
quickly. Quitting smoking reverses
this acceleration — preventing COPD
or slowing its progress.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), passive smoking
carries serious risks, especially
for children and those chronically
exposed. The WHO estimates that
passive smoking is associated with a
10 to 43 percent increase in risk of
COPD in adults.
"Although a very serious problem,
COPD can be prevented or suppressed
by simply making minor
changes in an individual’s daily activity,"
states Jeffery A. Miskoff, M.D.,
a pulmonary specialist affiliated
with Jersey Shore University Medical
Center and Ocean Medical Center.
Unfortunately, COPD has no cure.
If you have COPD, take heart in this
good news from the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI):
You can take steps to slow lung damage,
manage your symptoms, and feel
better overall. Besides not smoking,
here are some other strategies:
- Avoid secondhand smoke, which can worsen COPD.
- Leave your house while it’s being painted or sprayed for insect removal.
- Stay indoors with the windows closed when outside pollution, pollen, or dust levels are high.
- See your doctor at least twice a year, even if you’re feeling well. Bring along a list of all the medicines you take — even over-the-counter drugs.
- Get vaccinated against pneumonia, and don’t forget your yearly flu shot. The flu and pneumonia can pose serious threats to people with COPD.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts extra strain on your lungs and cardiovascular system and may increase breathlessness.
- Try to get plenty of regular exercise, which has been shown to help COPD.
Having a severe case of COPD can make even the simplest activities difficult. These suggestions should help:
- Enlist your family and friends for help with strenuous chores and errands.
- Do necessary tasks slowly or in a seated position.
- Wear clothes and shoes that are easy to put on and remove.
- Use a small table or a wheeled cart to move things around.
- Retrieve out-of-the-way items with a pole or tongs.
You can find more information about COPD and other lung conditions in the health information section of our Web site at: JerseyShoreUniverisityMedicalCenter.com.
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