Have you just heard the words
"You have COPD"
With those words,
often there is a rush of confusion, panic and a sense of loss of
control over one's life.
For many, the first
thoughts and questions center around the questions of longevity.
The reality of it
is:
COPD Is Not a
Death Sentence!
Those positive words
of wisdom, written by the late Bill Horden,
COPD patient, advocate and writer,
have given thousands the hope that they could not only live with
COPD,
but live well.
COPD, though considered a
chronic, debilitating and sometimes fatal disease, can be managed,
controlled and slowed down. It is mostly up to you. .You can lead
a good and long life, with a great deal of quality and joy left
even after that diagnosis. Many of our volunteers have over
20 years of experience in dealing with COPD. The most important factors contributing
to a longer and healthier lifestyle include, but are not limited
to:
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Early accurate
detection
◙
Pulmonary Function Test
(Spirometry) is the primary diagnostic tool
◙
All COPD patients should also
be tested for Alpha 1 |
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Find a
knowledgeable healthcare provider - preferably a
pulmonary specialist
◙
You and your healthcare providers need to work together as
a team |
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Stop smoking
◙
This is considered the single
most important step in your treatment program |
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Follow your
medication regimen faithfully - Even though you are feeling
"fine" for periods of time, it is important to continue to
take the prescribed medicines. Many are
actually maintenance medications, designed to stabilize your COPD. |
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Diet and food
preparation are special problems for those of us who have
COPD
◙
Bill Horden's
An SOB In The Kitchen" is a survivor’s guide through a
healthy kitchen
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Exercise
regularly
Avoid the downward spiral of getting short of breath, so you
do less ---- doing less allows your physical condition to
deteriorate which means less muscle efficiency with the
limited oxygen --- so you get short of breath faster,
which makes you do less. On and on that downward spiral
continues - you then are able to do less and less --- on
and on till you can't do much of anything. You are almost
completely immobile and maybe even bed ridden.
◙
Pulmonary Rehab (referral
needed by your doctor)
◙
Reduces respiratory symptoms (shortness
of breath)
◙
Improves your mental and emotional
outlook
◙
Educates you about your disease so you
can better deal with its variables
◙
Increases your stamina with exercise
◙
Enhances your ability to perform
activities of daily living
◙ Continue a
maintenance exercise program after rehab to avoid
deconditioning |
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Join a support
group for persons with COPD
◙
There may be a local area
group that meets monthly
◙
Join or visit one of the
online support groups
◙
Interactive support provides a
wealth of experience from COPD patients
◙
Often they have already dealt with many of your fears |
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Educate
yourself about every aspect of your disease
◙
Including
its related problems, medicines and procedures
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Keep accurate
notes about your condition, including copies of all your
tests |
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Take infection
prevention steps to limit exacerbations which can lead to
additional lung damage
◙
Many doctors will prescribe antibiotics
to keep on hand at home
◙ Learn
under what circumstances to immediately begin taking these
◙
Be sure to get Flu and Pneumonia shots
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You can learn to control COPD instead of letting COPD
control you!
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Get additional help, guidance and support:
Suggested additional reading:
From
the COPD-International Library - - -
The Bill Horden Wing
- features the writings of the COPD Advocate. Best
known for the COPD Survival Guide, this pioneer of
COPD Advocacy set the standards for providing today's
support and information
A COPD Survival
Guide
by Bill Horden
An SOB In The Kitchen
by Bill Horden
- a survivor’s guide through a healthy kitchen
From
the COPD-International Library - - - Personal experiences
section
COPD is not a death sentence
-- by Susie Bowers is an article that was published in
the Lancet (September 4, 2004) outlining her
feelings as she dealt with the diagnosis of COPD.
The Fork in the
Road -
by CG -
Life is full of choices and
decisions - but those of us with this disease called COPD
have extra ones to confront us. This article is based on
speaker notes to groups.
From
the COPD-International Library - - - Guest articles
section
Sick Lungs
Don't Show - adapted from a
1998 EFFORTS Brochure, by Edna Fiore.
Dear Family
- "An Open Letter to Family Members from Your COPD Person"
written by Jo-Von Tucker is a perfect reflection of the
thoughts and emotions of a family member with COPD.
From the COPD-International Library - - - checklists
A
list of questions for you to ask your doctor.
list of questions
A checklist to help you remember to cover all the
symptoms when you see your doctor.
symptoms_checklist
From the COPD-International Library - - -
main library section
The stages of
COPD
The stages of COPD
The Main library index links to
hundreds of articles on COPD and related conditions
Alphabetical-contents
From the COPD-International
front
page links
The welcome
letter with a guide to some of the features of the website
The welcome letter
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