Is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease really uncontrollable?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The most common respiratory symptoms include dyspnea, cough, and/or sputum. COPD has a high disability and mortality rate. Complications such as dyspnea and cor pulmonale are more likely to occur in the later stages. Therefore, it is very important to control the disease. Currently, the main medical treatments for COPD patients are still medication, surgery, and other medical treatments. This article mainly introduces disease control methods other than medical measures.

Quit smoking in time to control the further development of the disease

Smoking is an important risk factor for COPD. At least 80% of patients are smokers, and 15% to 20% of smokers will develop COPD[1]. Quitting smoking in time is a very effective way to control the disease, and quitting smoking is beneficial to lung function. Studies have found that even patients with airway obstruction and poor basic lung function have improved their condition after quitting smoking[2]. If middle-aged smokers with declining lung function can stop smoking, the incidence of severe or fatal COPD can be reduced. Quitting smoking also affects the patient's respiratory symptoms. After quitting smoking, the probability of coughing, sputum, wheezing and shortness of breath in patients is significantly reduced[1].

Practice proper breathing exercises

Breathing training technology has been widely used as an auxiliary treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the remission period. Appropriate breathing training can help delay the progression of the disease, reduce or prevent acute attacks of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life, and save medical expenses.

At present, respiratory training mainly includes specific respiratory muscle training and non-specific respiratory muscle training. The principle of specific respiratory muscle training is mainly to increase the respiratory load. The simplest methods include blowing balloons, blowing candles, pursed lip breathing, etc. Non-specific respiratory muscle training includes walking, jogging, swimming, climbing stairs and other exercises.

There are many types of specific respiratory muscle exercises, the most common of which are pursed lip breathing and abdominal breathing exercises. When performing pursed lip breathing, inhale through the nose with the mouth closed, then exhale slowly for 4 to 6 seconds by pursing the lips and whistling. The degree of lip pursing during exhalation can be adjusted by the patient himself, and should not be too large or too small. Abdominal breathing can be practiced in lying, sitting, or standing positions, in the manner of inhaling and exhaling, with one hand on the chest and one hand on the abdomen, keeping the chest as still as possible, slightly press the abdomen when exhaling, and try to retract the abdomen as much as possible, and when inhaling, resist the pressure of the hand to bulge the abdomen. At the same time, it is important to inhale deeply through the nose, and exhale slowly by pursing the lips when exhaling. The exhalation time should be 1 or 2 times longer than the inhalation time [3].

Blowing a balloon is also a good breathing training method and is not boring. Patients can choose a balloon with a capacity of 800 ml to 1000 ml. First, take a deep breath, then hold the balloon in your mouth and try your best to blow the air in your lungs into the balloon until there is no more air. Practice for 3 to 5 minutes each time, 3 to 4 times a day, for 20 days. Those who are physically weak can reduce the number of times or training time as appropriate [3].

Patients who are able to do so can also choose to walk, jog, swim, and do other exercises for breathing training. During exercise, they should learn to observe themselves and not exceed their maximum heart rate (maximum heart rate equals 170 minus age). Generally, they should start with various breathing exercises with low exercise volume, practice continuously at a constant speed and low intensity, and then do overall endurance exercises. If they feel uncomfortable, they should stop exercising immediately. During exercise, they should keep warm to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Avoid contact with harmful substances and avoid infection

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more likely to have lung infections. Avoid contact with dust and air pollutants, wear a protective mask when going out, and wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Vaccination is also an effective way to prevent infection. Both influenza and pneumonia vaccines can reduce the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections.

References:

[1] Xiao Dan, Wang Chen. The most important measures to prevent and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: quitting smoking and preventing passive smoking. Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, 2010, 049: 374-375

[2] Scanlon PD, Connett JE, Waller LA, et al. Smoking cessation and lung function in mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The lung health study. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 2000, 161: 381-390

[3] Zhou Lingjun, Zhao Jijun. Current status and prospects of respiratory training in rehabilitation treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nursing Research, 2005, 478-480.