Southeast Louisiana Home Health on living with COPD – LIVING WELL Magazine

Living With COPD

By Heather Branch, RN, Southeast Louisiana Home Health, Northshore & New Orleans LIVING WELL Magazines

As fall rolls around once again, so do all those pesky allergies causing inflammation and sometimes infection. The elderly, especially, need to be proactive in preventing flare-ups (exacerbations) of respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.

The first step to prevention is to talk to your healthcare provider about the flu and pneumonia vaccine. If not contraindicated, it is especially important to take advantage of these vaccines.  The flu and pneumonia vaccines are typically provided by your primary physician, home health provider, pharmacy or local health clinic.

Bronchitis and asthma, both forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are commonly seen during the winter months and require even closer monitoring and management to prevent hospitalization.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by acute episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Symptoms are caused by airway swelling, blockage and the increased responsiveness of the airways to “triggers.” Examples of “triggers” are, but not limited to, cigarette smoke, pollen, animal dander, dust, mold, cold air, strong odors and weather changes.

Bronchitis is a disease of the upper respiratory tract, which appears in most cases, in wet and cold seasons. The disease can be the result of the activity of viruses and bacteria. It usually begins with a cough and fever, for which antibiotics are generally recommended. These patients should avoid cold air streams, cold liquids or foods and prolonged exposure to low temperatures.  In some cases, the bronchitis can turn into pneumonia.

As healthcare providers, we encourage patients to be diligent in taking their medications and oxygen exactly as prescribed, avoid smoke, use inhalers/nebulizers as needed, avoid extreme temperatures and known irritants. As with any disease process, the key to maintaining good health is early detection and treatment.

If you have signs or symptoms of COPD or have already been diagnosed with COPD and struggle to manage it, Southeast Louisiana Home Health has a team of certified professionals waiting to help you. Please call us at 1-800-479-4712 to discuss your health care options. We Care For You!