COPD - Medcall (Hindi) Care Plan

COPD is a name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. It is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust also may contribute to COPD. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.

Overview

The air that you breathe goes down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes or airways. Healthy airways and air sacs in the lungs are elastic they try to bounce back to their original shape after being stretched or filled with air. This elastic quality helps retain the normal structure of the lung and helps to move the air quickly in and out.

In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following:

• The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality.

• The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.

• The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed.

Self-care instructions:

• Quit Smoking - To help you quit, there are many online resources and several new aids available from your doctor or health care providers. 

• Try to stay away from things that could irritate your lungs, like dust, strong fumes and cigarette smoke.

• It is also a good idea to get a flu shot every year, since the flu can cause serious problems for people with COPD. 
• Take Precautions Against the H1N1 Flu-People with COPD may also be at increased risk to become seriously ill with the H1N1 flu (formerly called swine flu). 

• Visit Your Doctor or Health Care Provider on a Regular Basis to avoid complications and hospitalization.

• COPD is a chronic life-long condition. Do not forget to take medicines if your doctor has prescribed medicines to manage it. 

• Reduce stress - try to avoid things that cause you stress. 

• You can also try pranayam and yoga under guidance to improve lung function.

• Constant coughing, sometimes called "smoker's cough"

• Shortness of breath while doing activities you used to be able to do

• Excess sputum production

• Feeling like you can't breathe

• Not being able to take a deep breath

• Wheezing

When COPD is severe, shortness of breath and other symptoms can get in the way of doing even the most basic tasks, such as doing light housework, taking a walk, even bathing and getting dressed.COPD develops slowly, and can worsen over time, so be sure to report any symptoms you might have to your doctor or health care provider as soon as possible, no matter how mild they may seem.

• Symptoms of COPD can get worse all of a sudden. When this happens, it is much harder to catch your breath. You might also have chest tightness, more coughing or a change in your cough (becomes more productive, more mucus is expelled), and a fever.
• When symptoms get worse quickly, it could be a sign of a lung infection. There could be other causes for symptoms getting worse, such as heart disease related to severe lung damage. The best thing to do is call your doctor right away so he or she can find out what the cause of the problem is and take steps to treat it.

How to prevent the complications:

• Adults at risk should have their lung function checked regularly.
• Follow your health care provider's recommendations to modify, treat, or control possible causes of COPD
  
• Take Precautions Against Seasonal Flu- In addition to avoiding people with the flu, remembering to wash and sanitize your hands can be one of the best ways to guard against getting sick. 

Typical follow-up schedule:

Watch your weight in both directions. Patients with chronic bronchitis may have a tendency to be obese, while those with emphysema have a tendency to be underweight. People with COPD use more energy while breathing than the average person. Therefore, the pulmonary (breathing) muscles in someone with COPD might require up to 10 times the calories needed by a person without COPD. It is important for you to consume enough calories to produce energy in order to prevent wasting or weakening of the diaphragm and other pulmonary muscles.

Immediate Diet Plan

Do's

• Low-fat protein foods such as lean cuts of meat, poultry, and fish - particularly oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines.

• Whole grain foods such as whole grain bread, bran, brown rice, and oats. These foods are also high in fiber, which helps improve the function of the digestive system.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables. They contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which will help to keep your body healthy and fight infections.

• Foods containing high levels of potassium, including bananas, oranges, tomatoes, asparagus, and potatoes. 
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Adequate hydration keeps mucus thin and makes it easier to cough up.

Don'ts

• Certain foods can cause problems such as gas and bloating, contain too much fat, or are low in nutritional value. 

• Foods to avoid include: Salt, Fried foods, and caffeine 

• Too much salt causes water retention, which may affect your ability to breathe. 

• Be sure to check the labels of the foods you buy and avoid any containing more than 300g of sodium per serving.

Sample Diet Plan (patient with COPD)

Choose foods which are healthy at the same time high on calories because COPD causes a person to tire more easily consequently require more energy.

Do not add SALT while cooking or as seasoning. 

Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you learn how to breathe more easily and improve your quality of life. It includes breathing re-training, exercise training, education, and counseling. Your health care provider can help you find a program that matches your level of fitness and physical condition.


Always breathe slowly to save your breath. Inhale through your nose, keeping your mouth closed. Exhale through pursed lips. Include the following in your exercise routine-

• Stretching: It helps prepare the muscles for activity and helps prevent injury and muscle strain. Regular stretching also increases your range of motion and flexibility.
• Cardiovascular or aerobic: This type of exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, and improves the body's ability to use oxygen. Aerobic exercises include walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling (stationary or outdoor), cross-country skiing, skating, rowing, and low-impact aerobics or water aerobics.
• Strengthening: Strengthening exercises for the upper body are especially, as they help increase the strength of your respiratory muscles.