COPD is a serious problem that affects millions of Americans. And If you have COPD, it’s important to use a nebulizer to help deliver medicine to your lungs. This article will go more in depth into COPD, how a Nebulizer is used for COPD and how to pick the right Nebulizer if you have Copd
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as COPD, is a lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe. The main symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath and coughing.
COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems; the most common of which are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have this disease.
COPD is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time. It is caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as smoking, pollution and a variety of other airborne particles.
Those with emphysema or chronic bronchitis are at a greater risk for COPD.
COPD is a serious health condition that leads to a number of other health complications, including heart diseas, and respiratory infections. It is the third leading cause of death in the US.
Living with COPD
Those living with COPD understand the frustration and toll it can take on their mental well being as well as their families. COPD is a very isolating disease. It can make even the simplest tasks, like going for a walk, impossible. These simple forced adjustments often times are overlooked when dealing with COPD; not being active with children/grandchildren, missing family gatherings, less time being social. The mental health aspect of COPD is often tremendously overlooked.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, many people have found ways to remain active with COPD and continue a quality of life as good or better than before their diagnosis. A huge component of this is maintaining a positive state of mind, of which a tremendous amount of people with COPD have found easier by joining support groups on Facebook and Reddit (some of which you can check out here and here)
Managing COPD
There is no cure for COPD, but there are treatments available that can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. These include medications, oxygen therapy and lifestyle changes. Nebulizers are also often used to deliver medications to the lungs. For more insight into some of the prescription medications used for COPD, check out this expansive list created by healthline.com.
If you’re interested in less invasive options to regulate and mange symptoms of COPD, here’s a simple list to help:
Diet: eating is an often overlooked aspect of lung health as we often don’t directly associate what we put in our mouth with COPD the way that we would a nebulizer or oxygen concentrator. But proper nutrition is such an important aspect of reducing inflamation, keeping weight down which reduces cholesterol and stress on the heart, and keeping diabetes at bay, it should always be at the top of the list when talking about COPD.
Exercise: If physical activity like going for a walk is too much, try breathing exercises; sit in a comfortable position and slowly breathe in and breathe out. For more advanced methods, you can use a doctor recommended lung exerciser.
Emotional Support: This is so important. You are not alone in this! There are 16 million people in the US alone that understand what you’re going through. Don’t be afraid to seek support groups. Having someone to talk to when you’re down, being reminded that you are not alone, can make all the difference in the world.
I saw this video a few years ago and love his positivity. It’s a reminder of how important staying mentally strong is for quality of life.
Nebulizer for COPD
I started BeC to help those in need and over the better part of the decade I’ve seen and learned more and more about COPD and the pain and suffering is can cause people. What I’m most impressed about is the strength and humanity the COPD community offers one another and the power a kind word can have. It’s a hard world out there so be good to one another. if you have any questions about our nebulizer product, call us our email us! I always love meeting new people and hearing hew stories.
-Ed Wagner
Owner BeC Nebulizer