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Respiratory Health
Looking after your COPD
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a general term used to describe a number of conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD leads to damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrower and making it harder for air to get in and out.
Cough, phlegm and shortness of breath can be symptoms of COPD. Some people may notice their symptoms in winter, or they might put them down to bronchitis or “smokers cough.”
The best way to confirm a diagnosis is through a simple breathing test called spirometry, which is usually carried out at your doctor’s surgery.
Protect your self during the Winter:
Cold weather can make your COPD worse, to can help prevent this by:
Keep your house warm
Make sure you keep your bedroom at 18c and your living room at 21c.
Wrap up to keep warm when going outside
Avoid Infections
If you catch a cold it can go straight to your chest. You can help avoid infections by:
- Diet
Build up your immune system and eat a healthy diet, including 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. - Flu Jabs
Contact your GP surgery about getting your pneumonia and yearly flu vaccinations.
Protect your self (be SMAART):
Symptoms
- Contact your doctor or nurse if your symptoms become worse.
- Many people with COPD wait until they are very ill before contacting their surgery.
- However, if you get treatment within the first few days of your symptoms getting worse you may avoid becoming very ill.
Medication
- Make sure you always have enough medication to last at least 2 weeks.
- Don’t run out of medication, particularly over the weekends or bank holidays.
- At your annual review, ask your doctor or nurse whether you should keep some steroids and antibiotics at home to take if your symptoms ever get worse.
Active
- Keeping active can prevent the risk of you going into hospital.
- If you are not sure how to exercise safely, talk to your GP, consultant or nurse. They can refer you for Pulmonary Rehabilitation courses which are available in Sheffield to teach you what exercises your can do.
Anxiety / Depression
- Feelings of depression, anxiety or panic are common in people who suffer from being short of breath.
- This can increase the feeling of breathlessness which can then increase anxiety.
- Don’t suffer in silence, contact your doctor or nurse, as lots can be done to help you.
Review
- You should have your COPD reviewed with your doctor or nurse each year.
Tobacco
- Stopping smoking is the most important thing you can do to help your breathing
- Call the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 068 4490 or visit www.sheffieldstopsmoking.org.uk for advice and suppport.
For more information about COPD, visit the British Lung Foundation website.
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