"Although it's not easy, it's maintainable." How can people with COPD improve their quality of life?

After winter, Lao Cui's life has become increasingly difficult. He used to be able to go out for a walk on cool days in autumn, but now he dares not even leave the house because he is a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The cold temperature outside and the polluted air are both fatal to him.

A friend was concerned about Lao Cui and asked him if his life was difficult and if he needed any help. Lao Cui shook his head and smiled bitterly, saying that although it was not easy, it was manageable. Now there are smart phones and various grocery shopping and delivery apps, and you can buy everything in the world without leaving your home. The only trouble is that you can't easily step out of the "cage" determined by the length of the oxygen tube.

1. "Disabled people" with healthy limbs COPD is also called "chronic bronchitis" or "emphysema" in some places. It is a disease in which airway narrowing or changes in lung structure lead to airflow obstruction. The most common cause of the disease is smoking. Secondly, if you live in an environment with a lot of oil smoke and dust for a long time, passive smoking, frequent respiratory infections, etc., COPD may also occur.

Lao Cui, who is now in his 40s, said that when he lit his first cigarette, he was still a teenager. If he knew at that time that smoking would lead to the current consequences, he would definitely reject all temptations of cigarettes. But now it is too late to say anything, the consequences have been made, and regret cannot change the reality.

The last time Lao Cui was hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of COPD, the doctor shook his head as he looked at his examination report and told him that he could apply for "medical retirement" early because his remaining lung function could no longer support his normal life and work, and he was now considered a "disabled person."

Lao Cui, who was lying on the hospital bed and breathing oxygen, was confused. He had both arms and legs, so how could he be disabled? The doctor said that his disability did not refer to the lack of limbs, but to the fact that his life and social interactions were restricted due to insufficient lung function. Lao Cui's current physical condition meant that he could not be separated from the oxygen machine for a long time. It was hard to say whether he could take care of himself completely, let alone go to work.

2. Cure can only rely on lung transplantation. Lao Cui asked the doctor, his lung function is not good, other organs are normal, is this lung disease incurable? The doctor sighed and said that COPD can be prevented and treated, but there is no way to reverse the changes in lung structure caused by COPD, so the treatment is just to maintain lung function as much as possible and delay the progression of the disease. If you want to be completely cured, only lung transplantation can do it.

Lao Cui was silent after hearing this. Not to mention whether he could afford the high cost of lung transplantation, it was even more difficult to find a suitable source of lungs. After Lao Cui's condition improved, he went to work with an oxygen bag and a medical certificate, took a long-term sick leave, and recuperated at home.

3. How to improve the quality of life Although there is no way to completely cure COPD, the doctor told Lao Cui that as long as COPD patients manage their own health well and receive active treatment, they can improve their quality of life and live more comfortably.

1. Quit smoking: For smokers, quitting smoking is the most effective measure to slow down the decline of lung function. It is never too late to quit smoking at any time.

2. Stay away from pollution: Replace the kitchen with a high-power range hood and prepare an air purifier indoors to keep yourself away from any fumes and dust that may aggravate breathing difficulties.

3. Drug treatment: COPD is divided into a stable phase and an acute exacerbation phase. Drug treatment should be adhered to during the stable phase. COPD patients need to use long-acting hormones and anticholinergic drugs for a long time to dilate the bronchi and relieve symptoms. Inhalation preparations are a better option, allowing the drug to directly enter the respiratory tract, with good therapeutic effects and few side effects.

4. Perform breathing exercises: Practicing abdominal breathing and pursed lip breathing can exercise the respiratory muscles, avoid airway collapse during breathing, and help the lungs with gas exchange.

Specific breathing exercise method: Inhale through the nose while expanding the abdomen as much as possible, keeping the chest still. You can put one hand on the abdomen to help feel the expansion of the abdomen. When exhaling, contract your lips to leave a small mouth, make a whistle-like action, and then exhale through the mouth while contracting the abdomen.

The key to pursed lip breathing is to exhale twice as long as inhale. You can count 1, 2, 3 while inhaling, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 while exhaling. Practice twice a day, 15 minutes each time. When you are proficient, gradually increase the number of practices, and over time, develop a breathing habit.

5. Exercise: COPD patients can benefit from regular exercise, mainly stepping, walking and other exercises within their ability. Do it according to your ability, but excessive activity may increase breathing difficulties.

6. Prevent colds: Colds, which have little effect on healthy people, may pose a fatal threat to patients with COPD, so you should keep warm and avoid catching colds. It is best to get a flu vaccine every autumn to prevent colds.

7. Home oxygen therapy: COPD patients are advised to prepare home oxygen machines for home oxygen therapy, especially those who often feel dyspnea and have secondary erythrocyte hyperplasia. Nasal cannula can be used at home for high-purity (more than 90% pure oxygen), low-flow (1-2 liters per minute), and long-term (more than 15 hours of oxygen per day) home oxygen therapy.

In summary, although COPD cannot be completely cured, regular medication, breathing exercises and home oxygen therapy can improve symptoms, slow disease progression and improve quality of life. If you experience worsening cough, increased sputum, or fever, it may be an acute exacerbation of COPD and you need to seek medical attention in time. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.