How to Improve Your Quality of Life With COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major increasing global health epidemic that is not being given the proper attention that is needed. COPD is not a death sentence; it does not mean that all patients with COPD will end up in a wheelchair or on oxygen. It is a preventable and treatable disease with many options for exercise but requires life style changes and commitment.  Life Style Changes  These changes can help progression, overall lung quality, exercise capacity, reduce symptoms and help you live an overall quality life.  v  Live an active life style v  Smoking cessation  v  Eat a well-balanced diet   v  Limit inhalation of air pollutants v  Protect your lungs v  Defend against infections v  Seek emotional support

4 Ways Exercise Helps Those With COPD v  Exercise can correct physical deconditioning which is seen in many COPD patients due to living a more sedentary life.  v  Exercise will improve functional capacity making daily living activities easier by reducing sensation to dyspnea and improving lung function.  v  It will also improve the function of cardiovascular system, muscular system, balance and flexibility.  v  Improves breathing efficiency and slow respiratory rates.  Options for Exercise  v  Pulmonary rehab is a well-known effective way to help COPD patients v  Tai Chi helps control breathing, balance and muscle strength    v  Cardiovascular exercise including walking, cycling and swimming for 30 mins 3-5 times a week will improve quality of life. v  Different group exercise programs give a lot of options that can appeal to different patients What You Can Do v  Know if you are at risk and check up on lung function. This link will give a guide to common seen risk factors.  v  Maintain an exercise program or symptoms and lung function decline will come back. Click here to see a study showing an intensive exercise programs effects and what happens if exercise is not maintained.  Learning About COPD Click here for a good resource to learn about COPD, symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatments, what it is like to live with COPD and other valuable information. This video is a different way to learn and understand what COPD is.  Logan Flanagan  Movement Science, Sports Medicine Senior at Westfield State University, considering nursing programs, following graduation in 2020 Lflanagan2419@westfield.ma.eduwww.linkedin.com/in/logan-flanagan