8/6/2019 COPD Resources
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COPD
Building Healthy LifestylesChinook Health Region
Management Strategies for Patients/Clients YOU HAVE JUST BEEN
TOLD THAT YOU HAVECOPD, NOW WHAT?
WHAT IS COPD?
C CHRONIC or long term
O OBSTRUCTIVE, the air passages are partially blocked
oroccluded
P PULMONARY, which refers to the lungs
D DISEASE
COPD is a condition that makes breathing more difficult
becausethe air passages and air sacs in the lungs have been
damaged. eair passages become partly blocked and the air sacs (like
balloons atthe end of the air passages) have lost their ability to
contract down,
making it more difficult to push the stale air out of the lungs
andbreathe fresh air into the lungs. It is a condition that has
developedand worsened over a period of time.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COPD?
e most common symptoms of COPD are as follows:
Shortness of breath as well as increased phlegm production
Decreased ability to perform exercise or daily activities due
toshortness of breath
IS THERE A CURE FOR COPD?
No. Once you have COPD it will never go away and may worsen over
time. However, if you take good care of the lungcapacity you still
have, you can preserve and improve your ability to be active
without getting winded.
WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP COPD FROM GETTING WORSE?
If you smoke, then you must quit!
Smoking is the major cause of COPD. By quitting smoking youcan
slow the progression of COPD signicantly.
Te sooner you quit the better!
If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your doctor or phone
tollfree the smokers help line: 1-866-332-2322. Remember: It
isnever too late to quit smoking!
WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW THAT I HAVE COPD?
Breathing medications (puffers) that act to open up the
airpassages can be used to help relieve shortness of breath.
Yourdoctor will prescribe the right combination of
breathingmedications for you.
Exercising and getting in good shape will improvebreathlessness.
People with COPD commonly become short of
breath with activity and because of this they may avoid
activity. Avoiding activity results in a downward cycle of less and
lessactivity which leads to more and more shortness of breath.
Be sure to get a u shot once per year
Be sure to get a pneumonia shot once in a lifetime
ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO REFER YOU TO THE CHINOOK HEALTH REGION COPD
PROGRAM
At the COPD program you will meet with COPD educators who will
provide you with information about COPD and how tolive well with
COPD. ey will work with your doctor to reducethe impact of COPD and
improve your quality of life.
e COPD program provides a supervised exercise program tohelp
people with COPD get t, improve shortness of breath andability to
exercise. You will also receive a home exercise progrto help keep
you t.
Revised as of June 21, 2005 developed by the
BHL/chronicrespiratory/Chinook Health Region
Shortness of breath with activity
Less activity toavoid feeling
short of breathMore shortnessof breath than
before Muscles become weaker from lack of
exercise and need
more oxygen thannormal to do work Even less activity
Reproduced with permission from Boehringer Ingelhei
8/6/2019 COPD Resources
10/10
COPD
Building Healthy LifestylesChinook Health Region
Client Checklist for COPD What to expect at each office visit
with your family physician:
Discuss symptoms such as shortness of breath
Discuss current medications and if they are helping symptoms
Physical exam (listening to lungs with stethoscope)
Checking oxygen levels (if oximeter is available)
Discuss smoking (if still smoking)
Review proper inhaler technique
Make or review a written COPD action plan
Tests & Measurements that should be done or discussed on a
yearly basis,or as recommended by your family physician:
Lung function testing (spirometry)
Height and weight measurements
Screening for osteoporosis if using inhaled steroids and you
have the following risk factors:
Age > 60 years
Postmenopausal state without hormone replacement therapy
Male impotence or infertility Previous fractures with minor
trauma
Family history of fractures (parental)
Past or current chronic glucocorticoid therapy
Smoking or alcoholism
Physical inactivity
Referral to COPD program for education and pulmonary
rehabilitation
Vaccinations
Annual inuenza vaccine
Pneumonia vaccine (once in a lifetime, or every 10 years)
Ensure immunizations are up to date
