Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation and tissue destruction. It’s most commonly caused by smoking and is seen in people over the age of 40.
The disease is linked with ongoing airway limitation and inflammation. It causes problems with breathing, especially breathing air out of the lungs, and problems with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the lungs. Other problems that may be caused by the disease are changes to the breathing mechanics (pattern), breathlessness, reduced heart function, problems with skeletal muscles and lower overall fitness. Usually, the most common symptoms experienced by people are breathlessness, chronic cough and sometimes phlegm production. In good news, COPD is treatable.
How Can I Manage COPD?
Having COPD can be a big limitation, in doing the activities you like. However, there are many things you can do to control the symptoms and live your life to the fullest!
- Stop Smoking. Your number one priority should be to quit smoking. Smoking is the number one cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Together, these diseases comprise COPD. If you haven’t already quit, it’s very important to take steps to stop smoking.
- Focus on Nutrition.. Eating right is an important way to keep your body and your immune system strong. Sometimes, people with advanced COPD don’t get the proper nutrition they need to stay healthy. It may be helpful to eat smaller meals, more often. How can you do this? Our physiotherapist and Cairns naturopath Catherine, can be a great ally to help you eat better and reduce the possible risks that poor nutrition brings.
- Stay Active & Physically Fit.. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a great option for people with COPD. Among other things, it includes exercise training to improve a patient’s emotional and physical condition, and to promote “health-enhancing behaviors.” If you want to achieve an optimal physical level, our team can help you!
Physiotherapy Can Help You
Wellness Embodied can help. Our team of Cairns physiotherapists are trained to provide pulmonary rehabilitation in a secure and effective way. So, what’s the next step?
- Book an appointment at one of our Cairns physiotherapy clinics.
- At your appointment, one of our team of Cairns physiotherapists will measure your functional exercise capacity, your symptoms and safety for exercise. They will teach you how to do the exercises and then supervise your exercise training, once or twice a week. The education part of the program will help you to learn how to: understand your disease, best manage your symptoms, take medications, stop smoking and eat a healthy diet.
Whether you’re starting to experience COPD symptoms, or you want to improve your lung health, our physiotherapists are trained to deliver exercise programs tailored to those with lung conditions, in a safe way.
If you have any questions about how we can help you live a better lifestyle, please give us a call on (07) 4231 9777, or click here to book online today!
