COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Flareups: What to do
A COPD flare-up happens when COPD symptoms get worse, or when new symptoms develop. Flare-ups are also called exacerbations.
Flare-ups are one of the biggest reasons why people with COPD become disabled or have to be hospitalized. They can be deadly.
To manage your COPD, you need to know:
how to prevent flare-ups
warning signs and symptoms of a flare-up
what to do if you have a flare-up, and when to get emergency help
How to prevent COPD flare-ups
Take good care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep. Staying healthy will help your body fight infections.
Wash your hands properly and often, to reduce your chance of picking up germs and getting sick. This page explains all the steps of proper hand washing, and includes drawings of each step.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Many people catch colds, flu, and other contagious respiratory (lung) infections by touching their face. They don't realize that there are germs on their hands that can make them sick.
Stay away from people who are sick.
Take all of the medications prescribed by your doctor. Ask for help if you have questions about how or when to take medications or what they're for.
Ask your doctor for a personalized written COPD action plan. A COPD action plan gives written instructions from your doctor on what to do when your symptoms flare up. Your COPD action plan will tell you what extra medicine to take, when to call the doctor, and when to go to the emergency department. Here is a blank COPD action plan (PDF) that you can fill out with your doctor.
Get your flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot.
Avoid triggers that can make COPD worse, like air pollution, cigarette smoke and breathing very cold or very humid air.
Warning signs and symptoms of a COPD flare-up, and what to do
an usual increase in shortness of breath
mucus (phlegm) that is more yellow, green or brown than usual
an increase in the amount, thickness or stickiness of your mucus (phlegm)
fever
symptoms of a cold, such as a head ache, runny nose, or sore throat
swollen ankles
feeling tired and generally unwell
What to do if you have these symptoms: If you notice any of these symptoms, follow the advice in your written COPD action plan. If you don't know what to do or if your symptoms are getting worse, call your doctor. If you can't reach your doctor, go to the hospital emergency department.
Warning signs of a severe COPD flare-up: call 911 if you have these signs
chest pain
blue lips or fingers
confusion, can't think clearly, or very agitated (upset)
drowsy
very short of breath
Treatment for a COPD flare-up
It's very important that you treat your COPD flare-up as early as possible. If you treat a flare-up early, you are less likely to need hospital care.
To treat a flare-up, follow the advice above and the instructions in your action plan. There are medications to treat COPD flare-ups: learn more.
COPD triggers
Triggers are things that can irritate your lungs and make your COPD symptoms worse. Avoid these common triggers:
air pollution, smog
second-hand smoke
strong fumes, perfume, scented products
cold air
hot and humid air
How to avoid COPD triggers indoors
Avoid breathing in the fumes from perfume, paints and cleaning products. Try to buy household products that are unscented. When cooking, turn on your kitchen fan, which should be vented outdoors. Avoid smoke from fireplaces or wood stoves. Avoid second-hand smoke anywhere: in homes, in cars, in restaurants.
How to avoid COPD triggers outdoors
If cold air and strong winds bother you, try covering your nose and mouth with a scarf (wrapped loosely) and breathe through your nose. The scarf will help warm the air before it gets to your lungs. On hot humid days, or days of smog, stay indoors in a clean air-conditioned room.
Things that trigger COPD are often the same things that trigger asthma. In our asthma section, you can read more about triggers and how to avoid them.
This is a review for many of us, but I thought with fall weather and winter coming on a refresher would maybe a good thing.
Stay well my friends,
Love always,
Holly
A COPD flare-up happens when COPD symptoms get worse, or when new symptoms develop. Flare-ups are also called exacerbations.
Flare-ups are one of the biggest reasons why people with COPD become disabled or have to be hospitalized. They can be deadly.
To manage your COPD, you need to know:
how to prevent flare-ups
warning signs and symptoms of a flare-up
what to do if you have a flare-up, and when to get emergency help
How to prevent COPD flare-ups
Take good care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep. Staying healthy will help your body fight infections.
Wash your hands properly and often, to reduce your chance of picking up germs and getting sick. This page explains all the steps of proper hand washing, and includes drawings of each step.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Many people catch colds, flu, and other contagious respiratory (lung) infections by touching their face. They don't realize that there are germs on their hands that can make them sick.
Stay away from people who are sick.
Take all of the medications prescribed by your doctor. Ask for help if you have questions about how or when to take medications or what they're for.
Ask your doctor for a personalized written COPD action plan. A COPD action plan gives written instructions from your doctor on what to do when your symptoms flare up. Your COPD action plan will tell you what extra medicine to take, when to call the doctor, and when to go to the emergency department. Here is a blank COPD action plan (PDF) that you can fill out with your doctor.
Get your flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot.
Avoid triggers that can make COPD worse, like air pollution, cigarette smoke and breathing very cold or very humid air.
Warning signs and symptoms of a COPD flare-up, and what to do
an usual increase in shortness of breath
mucus (phlegm) that is more yellow, green or brown than usual
an increase in the amount, thickness or stickiness of your mucus (phlegm)
fever
symptoms of a cold, such as a head ache, runny nose, or sore throat
swollen ankles
feeling tired and generally unwell
What to do if you have these symptoms: If you notice any of these symptoms, follow the advice in your written COPD action plan. If you don't know what to do or if your symptoms are getting worse, call your doctor. If you can't reach your doctor, go to the hospital emergency department.
Warning signs of a severe COPD flare-up: call 911 if you have these signs
chest pain
blue lips or fingers
confusion, can't think clearly, or very agitated (upset)
drowsy
very short of breath
Treatment for a COPD flare-up
It's very important that you treat your COPD flare-up as early as possible. If you treat a flare-up early, you are less likely to need hospital care.
To treat a flare-up, follow the advice above and the instructions in your action plan. There are medications to treat COPD flare-ups: learn more.
COPD triggers
Triggers are things that can irritate your lungs and make your COPD symptoms worse. Avoid these common triggers:
air pollution, smog
second-hand smoke
strong fumes, perfume, scented products
cold air
hot and humid air
How to avoid COPD triggers indoors
Avoid breathing in the fumes from perfume, paints and cleaning products. Try to buy household products that are unscented. When cooking, turn on your kitchen fan, which should be vented outdoors. Avoid smoke from fireplaces or wood stoves. Avoid second-hand smoke anywhere: in homes, in cars, in restaurants.
How to avoid COPD triggers outdoors
If cold air and strong winds bother you, try covering your nose and mouth with a scarf (wrapped loosely) and breathe through your nose. The scarf will help warm the air before it gets to your lungs. On hot humid days, or days of smog, stay indoors in a clean air-conditioned room.
Things that trigger COPD are often the same things that trigger asthma. In our asthma section, you can read more about triggers and how to avoid them.
This is a review for many of us, but I thought with fall weather and winter coming on a refresher would maybe a good thing.
Stay well my friends,
Love always,
Holly
Here is a very good explanation for you, I was thinking of putting up as a new subject.
http://copd.about.com/od/faq/f/swelling.htm
Ill put in on the main board for everyone,
Love
Holly
Avoiding stress wherever possible is also helpful when feeling unwell, and sharing time with people who enhance life generally is excellent for the health too.
I was out and about a lot over the weekend walking in damp mucky air. Just one question can a flair occurs without a chest infection because I think I am having a flair no mucus just lots of extra coughing and sob.
I am with Serenity on the swollen ankle bit as I have had tendonitis in the past and I have lingering problems from that also.
Thank you