More information about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to a group of chronic lung disease and respiratory condition including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Bronchitis occurs when airways are inflamed and narrowed. COPD patients with bronchitis frequently cough up phlegm.

Emphysema develops over time and involves the gradual damage of lung tissue, specifically the destruction of the tiny air sacs. Gradually, this damage causes the air sacs to rupture and create one big air pocket instead of many small ones. This reduction in the lung surface area traps air in the damaged tissue and prevents oxygen from moving through the bloodstream. Additionally, this blockage causes the lungs to slowly overfill and makes breathing increasingly more difficult.

Patients suffering from COPD have openings of the airways which are smaller and affect lung function. Less air gets in because:

• The airway walls get thick and swollen due to persistent inflammation.

• The airways are squeezed by small muscles around them.

• The airways produce excessive mucus.

COPD is not curable but can be treated by various drugs that address the factors above and by changes to life style such as to quit smoking, adopt a balanced diet and exercise.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education designed for COPD patients. The programme typically includes physical exercise carefully designed to provide the right level of activity and provides information and tips about:

• breathing techniques and breathing exercises

• stress management

• healthy eating

• use of inhalers and other medicines

More severe COPD with persistently low blood oxygen levels, not breathlessness, is treated through supplemental oxygen therapy from a cylinder, in liquid form or through a mechanical device called a concentrator that extracts oxygen from the air.

COPD usually develops because of long-term damage to lungs from breathing in a harmful substance usually cigarette smoke. Patients with early onset of lung diseases are advised to quit smoking to lower risk of COPD and lung cancer.

Inability to breathe obviously causes distress to the patient and affects quality of life. Lung diseases such as COPD interfere with physical activity, even in a patient who is physically strong in other ways.

Mobility aids such as walking aids or mobility scooters can be used to give patients as active a life as possible and patients can even travel overseas with the right support from airlines and caregivers.

COPD home care is similar to care for other debilitating conditions in that it involves support for daily living, medication and for emotional as well as physical needs.

Home Instead Care Pros provide wholistic care and often become experts in the health condition of the person they care for.

It can be difficult for someone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to keep active and do everyday things. Home Instead Care Pros can help to think ahead. For example:

• agree which activities are priorities and plan the day so there is time to rest before and after them.

• suggest they do things in ways that affect their breathing less, like sitting down to wash or prepare meals, or using a towelling robe after a shower to dry off.

Home Instead Care Pros can encourage the COPD patient to keep as active as possible. If someone avoids activities that make them breathless, their muscles will get weaker. Weaker muscles need more oxygen to work.

Exercise can help them manage their condition, build their confidence, improve their quality of life and boost their mood. 

Home Instead Care Pros can give both practical and emotional support, just by being a good listener. It is common for some people living with a lung condition to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Home Instead Care Pros can also:

• Let patients know they care and are there to listen, without judgement. 

• Encourage patients to help themselves, for example with eating healthily and staying active.

• Make sure patients stay in touch with friends and family, as people who are anxious or depressed may become isolated.

As the underlying COPD gets more severe, some people may not be able to cope at home and may need to consider hospital admissions for treatment.