Have you ever seen anyone who coughed a lot and couldn’t climb a few stairs without gasping for breath? It may very well be that this person was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Can you imagine your daily life if you had to constantly wear a bag over your head, which would prevent you from breathing normally? Or yet, if you had to breathe through a straw every day? This constant feeling of not being able to breathe is something that thousands of Canadians who live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, experience every day.
COPD affects around 6% of Canadians aged 55 and above. It is characterized by a progressive obstruction of the air passages. The sufferer has trouble exhaling air from the bronchial tubes because they are partially blocked. This results in persistent coughing accompanied by embarrassing secretions, shortness of breath when carrying out daily tasks as well as difficult breathing, especially during exertion or at night. COPD is also punctuated with periods of aggravation brought on by the flu or another virus. These episodes often require a visit to the hospital.
If you are one of those with chronic colds and you have the symptoms mentioned above, a consultation with your doctor may be necessary. Based on the assessment of your symptoms, the doctor could decide to make you take a spirometry breathing test. It is a diagnostic test that will tell your doctor if you have COPD. The test is really simple: you just have to breathe into a small machine.
COPD treatment has several aims:
In the majority of cases, COPD is caused by smoking. Exposure to second-hand smoke can also predispose you to this disease. If you suffer from COPD and still smoke, it is imperative that you stop smoking at the earliest possible. Continuing to smoke will surely cause further damage to your bronchial tubes and lungs and by this, worsen the disease. Your pharmacist can provide invaluable assistance to help you quit smoking for good. Given the extraordinarily beneficial impact that this step will have on your health, there is no doubt that your pharmacist will support you enthusiastically!
If you suffer from COPD, your doctor can prescribe medications to manage the disease. They clear the obstruction of the bronchial tubes so that air can leave them. The majority of these are found in the form of inhalers. Ask your pharmacist to teach you the right method of taking your inhaled medications. This is essential for optimal treatment.
Oral medications, such as cortisone-based drugs or antibiotics, may also be prescribed for you. It is possible that your doctor gives you a “plan of action.” This explains what to do if your coughing increases or if the mucus turns greenish. If you know your treatment well, it will be easier for you to manage the situation when the time comes.
It is important that you understand the usefulness of each medication prescribed for you and know when and how to take it. Ask your pharmacist as many questions as necessary. These will be answered with pleasure.
Here are a few additional suggestions to help you better manage your COPD:
Several professional groups exist to help you cope better with your disease. For instance, some institutions offer a pulmonary rehabilitation program. This consists of supervised exercises, education, follow-up, and psychological support.
The Quebec Asthma and COPD Network (QACN) has created several educational centres in Quebec to offer a free individualized education program to help you better manage your disease. The Quebec Lung Association holds meetings on various subjects in the form of lectures which will give you the opportunity to get informed and share your experiences.
Untreated COPD can rapidly bring down your lung capacity. Taking control of your disease can make all the difference. Several professionals are on hand, ready to help you breathe easier!
