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COPD can cause your lungs to produce excess mucus, leading to frequent
coughing. Not all coughs are effective in clearing excess mucus from the lungs.
Explosive or uncontrolled coughing causes airways to collapse and spasm,
trapping mucus.
The effectiv... |
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Pulmonary rehabilitationPulmonary
rehabilitation is a program that can help you learn how to breathe more easily and
improve your quality of life. It includes breathing re-training, exercise
training, education, and counseling.
Why should I exercise?Re... |
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Call your doctor if changes have been made in your medicines before continuing your regular exercise program.
New medicines can greatly affect your response to activity.
If you are too tired and are not sure if it is
related to "over-doi... |
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Acapella: see mucus clearing device
Acute: sudden
Advance directives: legal documents including the Living Will and
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. A Living Will states what type of
treatment you wish to receive in the event that you become ... |
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You have the right and responsibility to know what medications are
being prescribed for you. The more you know about your medications and how they
work, the easier it will be for you to control your symptoms.
You and your doctor are partners in de... |
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Alpha-1 Association
275 West Street, Suite 210
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(800) 521-3025
Email: info@alpha1.org
http://www.alpha1.org
Alpha-1 Foundation
2937 S.W. 27th Avenue, Suite 302
Miami, FL 33133
(877) 228-7321
http://www.alphaone.org
Ameri... |
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Important:
Know how to contact your doctor after hours and on weekends. Always keep the
following close to your phone for easy access:
A list of your doctors' phone numbers, a current list of your medications and
dosages, as well as any all... |
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Plan periods of rest
Be sure to get plenty of rest. You might need to plan at least one rest
period every day. If you have swelling in your feet or ankles, elevate your legs
when you are resting or sitting for prolonged periods. Avoid working long days.... |
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By making lifestyle and activity changes, you can take an active role in
treating your COPD and help improve your health.
You can resume your regular activities as you feel better, but follow your
doctor's activity guidelines. Increase your activities s... |
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The diaphragm is the most efficient muscle of breathing. It is a large,
dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. Your abdominal muscles help
move the diaphragm and give you more power to empty your lungs. But chronic
obstructive pulmonary di... |
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We wish you a speedy recovery. Here is some information about caring for
yourself when you go home.
When can I shower?
You can shower at home, 24 hours after all of your tubes have been removed --
as long as your incision is dry (not oozing) and ap... |
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Why is home oxygen prescribed?Your
doctor may prescribe oxygen if your lungs are not getting enough oxygen to your
blood (a condition called hypoxemia). Breathing prescribed oxygen increases the
amount of oxygen in the blood, usually reduces shortness o... |
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1. Pull open the dust cap and mouthpiece of the HandiHaler.
2. Remove one SPIRIVA capsule from its package immediately before use.
Separate the blister strip. Peel back the foil to the STOP line. If any
other capsules are exposed to ai... |
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Some COPD medications can be taken in the form of a dry powder using a small,
hand-held device called a dry powder inhaler (DPI). Dry powder inhalers deliver
medication to the lungs as you inhale through the device. The DPI does not
contain propellants ... |
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Your lungs' main job is to make oxygen available to your body and to remove
other gases, such as carbon dioxide. This process is done 12 to 20 times per
minute.
When you inhale air through your nose or mouth, it travels down the back of
your throat (ph... |
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This article provides basic information to help you make healthy food
choices. Planning what you eat and balancing your meals are important ways to
manage your health. Eating healthy often means making changes in your current
eating habits. Changing y... |
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Your lungs make oxygen available to your body and remove other gases, such as
carbon dioxide, from your body. This process takes place 12 to 20 times per
minute.
When you inhale through your nose or mouth, air travels down the pharynx
(back of the th... |
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In conjunction with pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, use
these breathing positions to help you reduce shortness of breath.These positions are helpful when you have shortness of breath during
activity, emotional excitement, exposure to ad... |
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People with COPD have difficulty clearing their lungs of bacteria, dusts and
other pollutants in the air. This makes them at risk for lung infections that
may cause further damage to the lungs.
... |
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What is pulmonary rehabilitation?Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise and education program individually
designed for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other
lung diseases. Pulmonary rehabilitation has two major objectives:&n... |
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Pursed lip breathing is one of the simplest ways to control shortness of
breath. It provides a quick and easy way to slow your pace of breathing, making
each breath more effective.
What does pursed lip breathing do?Pursed
lip breathing:
Improves v... |
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Checklist before you travel
Did you notify your doctor? If you've been in the hospital
recently, check with your doctor for clearance before traveling.
Did you obtain the necessary paperwork to travel? (You may need
a letter from yo... |
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What is COPD?COPD stands for chronic
obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. COPD is a general term used for several
lung diseases. The most common diseases in this group are chronic bronchitis and
emphysema. Chronic asthma may also be included in this gr... |
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It requires practice to correctly use the devices needed to inhale your COPD
medications. With the proper instructions, you can learn to use these devices
effectively to get the full benefit from your medications.
Inhaled medications are often taken by ... |
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