In moments the device will display a readout of your current blood oxygen saturation levels on the screen. Privacy Policy | One of the most important ways to protect your lungs is to watch your local air quality reports and know how to protect yourself when pollution and pollen levels are high. You can also get detailed instructions on a variety of breathing exercises from this article on Healthline and this page on the Lung Institute's website. These allergens can cause bronchial spasms and inflammation that make your COPD symptoms worse and put you at risk for an acute exacerbation. It can be confusing to remember which medications to take and how bad your symptoms should be before you take them. Here are some tips for staying healthy and avoiding exacerbations in hot weather: Cold weather can also make COPD worse and put you at a much greater risk for exacerbations. Nutritional guidelines say you should avoid trans fats and saturated fats when possible and choose unsaturated fats instead. They can also worsen symptoms, quicken disease progression, and makes exacerbations more likely. Promptly wipe up any water or spills and repair leaky pipes immediately after you notice them. The more carbohydrates you eat, the harder your lungs have to work in order absorb oxygen. You might be unsure of what symptoms warrant a call to your doctor or at what point you should go to the emergency room for worsened symptoms. Several types of medications have also been shown to decrease your chance of having an exacerbation. This happens because it takes extra effort to pull air through the mask when you inhale. There are certain symptoms that are a sign of serious oxygen deprivation and require immediate medical care. Regular exercise and living an active lifestyle makes it easier to feel tired and fall asleep at night. You should follow your yellow-zone plan whenever your symptoms are elevated from their usual baseline. But it also means that you are much more prone to contracting contagious illnesses, and more prone to getting secondary infections, too. That's when a quick diagnostic tool like a pulse oximeter can come in handy and possibly even save your life. Certain foods are more taxing on your respiratory system and make your lungs have to work harder to absorb enough oxygen. Pour one cup of vinegar into a large spray bottle. [1] “The Association Between Rate and Severity of Exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Application of a Joint Frailty-Logistic Model,” American Journal of Epidemiology, Nov. 1, 2016, [2] “The costs of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” Respiratory Medicine, 2002, [3] “Status of and strategies for improving adherence to COPD treatment,” International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, July 2019, [4] “Adherence to inhaled therapy, mortality and hospital admission in COPD,” Thorax, 2009, [5] “Role of Diet in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Treatment,” Nutrients, June 2019, [6] “COPD and exercise: does it make a difference?,” U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, June 2016, This article was last updated September 22, 2020, This accessible COPD guide and myth-busting resource can help, More than 30 resources and tips and tricks to help you live well with COPD, Five financial tips for affording life and medications with COPD, Insurance or not, this guide can show you how to save money on COPD meds, Phone: Stress, breathing difficulties, and mobility issues make it difficult for some people with COPD to drink enough water every day. You should also be particularly careful when spending time in doctor's offices or hospitals, which carry an elevated risk of exposure to viruses and bacteria. If you feel overheated, try taking a cool bath or shower to cool down. Columbus, OH 43215, NPI: 1902465503 If you are ready to learn what you can do to protect your lungs and maintain your quality of life, continue reading to learn about fifteen different ways to avoid COPD flare-ups and exacerbations. It's best to get it filled at least a few days before you take your last dose of the previous batch so you have some wiggle room if there's any delay. One study found that severe flare-ups were 60 times more expensive than mild/moderate ones.[2]. Some of these medications are prescribed to be taken on a schedule, while others are used as-needed to address symptoms, flare-ups, and exacerbations as they happen. Put on some music or headphones while you work to reduce the tedium and make cleaning more engaging and fun. Preventative strategies you can use to avoid a COPD exacerbation include: 1. This is a great way to make sure that you're getting enough oxygen and to monitor your COPD on a daily basis. Here are some examples of healthy fats you should include in your diet: Vitamin D is an important nutrient for a variety of reasons; it's necessary for healthy bones, calcium absorption, and a healthy immune system. It works by simply shining an infrared light onto the top of your finger, where it shines through your skin and to the sensor underneath. It's important to eat right in order to get enough nutrients to fuel your body and maintain a healthy BMI. Severe exacerbations can cause you to be hospitalized or even end in death. Breathe in as you pull the vacuum toward yourself and breathe out as you push it away. This strengthens your breathing muscles and helps you remember how to breathe correctly in the heat of those moments when your symptoms act up. Read the following sections for a variety of ideas and practical tips for improving the air quality in your home. By optimizing your sleeping environment, managing your symptoms, and taking care of any co-occurring sleep disorders you can get better rest and reduce your chances of having an acute exacerbation. Rob Mixer is a writer and content marketer based in Columbus, Ohio. Anytime anyone you know is sick with a contagious illness, you should stay away from them at all costs. COPD, Even though they go away eventually, exacerbations can cause serious health complications and permanent damage to your lungs. The rest usually comes from sunlight, which stimulates your body to produce vitamin D when it shines on your skin. Keeping your home free from dust, mold, and grime will also help with allergies and prevent minor symptom flare-ups. Sweep your floors and vacuum your carpet often to remove dust and other allergens. Even though you can't always avoid exacerbations, there are many different things you can do in your daily life that reduce your risk. Make sure you have enough blankets to keep yourself at a comfortable temperature. But for those who are not so lucky, the hot air can make a variety of COPD symptoms worse. In fact, one study showed that cold weather caused a significant increase in hospital admissions, with up to a 20% increase in hospitalizations for people with COPD. Now that you know what not to eat, you should know what kinds of fruits, veggies, proteins, and grains you should eat for a healthy and balanced diet. It's a great way to figure out what kinds of activities and environments affect your oxygen levels and when to use your supplemental oxygen, if your doctor prescribes it. … People with COPD should avoid environments where they are exposed to pollution, smog, exhaust from vehicles, … You can find all-natural cleaners at many retail stores, but they are often less effective and overpriced. You should be familiar with every irritant and pollutant that could harm your lungs so you can avoid exposing yourself unintentionally. That means that vegetable oils are unsaturated, while butter is a saturated fat. Canned vegetables, soups, sauces, and salsas, Pickled vegetables like pickles, pickled artichoke hearts, and olives, Processed, packaged snacks like crackers, chips, and pretzels, High-fiber grains (e.g. shown to help prevent exacerbations. That means getting vaccinated, staying on top of your medications, and going out of your way to avoid anything that could get you sick. The amount of smog you get exposed to when you go outside depends on the temperature, humidity, weather patterns, traffic, and a variety of other factors. This can be a challenge, so consider asking your doctor about a smoking cessation program. olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and peanut oil). Try to take your medications at the exact time every day to make the habit easier to learn. Every person needs a good balance of the three main macro nutrients in your diet: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It's the most effective way to strengthen your breathing muscles, improve your mobility, and improve your quality of life. Drinking soda, sugary juices, and other caffeinated beverages is another bad habit that can lead to dehydration. But if you follow the steps in this article you can significantly reduce your risk for exacerbations and improve your chances for a full recovery if it happens. Sit on a stool to conserve energy while sorting clothes, folding clothes, or getting them out of the dryer. Along with preventing exacerbations, vitamin D can help patients deficient in the vitamin recover from infections and exacerbations more quickly. This can be a challenge, so consider asking your doctor about a smoking cessation program. Look for unscented products whenever possible, and ask others who live in your home to do the same. You should seek emergency medical care if you experience unusually severe symptoms, can't catch your breath, or show signs of low blood oxygen (like confusion, a severe headache, a bluish color to your skin, or extreme fatigue). Here is a list of the most common respiratory irritants that you should avoid: Airborne irritants like the ones on this list get into your lungs and airways when you breathe contaminated air. Never wait until you've already run out of your medication to get or fill a new prescription! Because COPD suppresses your immune system, people with the disease are much more prone to getting sick when exposed to lots of people's germs. Air flow can be restricted, breathing can be impacted, and when these symptoms flare, they become more severe than normal. Doing this will help you keep your symptoms in check, respond appropriately to flare-ups, and can significantly reduce your chance of experiencing an exacerbation. If you smoke, get support to help you quit. So, how do you know if you’re experiencing a flare-up? That's why you have to be particularly careful to protect yourself during the summer and winter months. Use a duster or damp towel to clean dust off of counters, shelves, cabinets, and other horizontal surfaces. Wear an N-95 respirator to avoid breathing in dust and other airborne particles as you clean (this applies to any kind of cleaning, including vacuuming and cleaning surfaces and floors). 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