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One of the best ways to celebrate America is by taking in the fantastic sights at its National Parks. But for those that require oxygen, visiting these prized locations may have just been unobtainable. Now, with portable oxygen concentrators, oxygen therapy users can visit any of the National Parks across the nation.
While last year I felt like I was constantly on the road, this year has been relatively settled. Fortunately, I’m headed to Washington, DC in about a month, and am excited to get on a plane for the first time in what will by then be 10 months since my last flight! After 30 individual flights last year, I’ve become pretty confident in tackling traveling with asthma, so that my asthma gets in the way as little as possible.
When you or a loved one suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you want to do everything you can to ease the symptoms.
Inhalers, steroids and other medications, as well as oxygen therapy, are all potential treatments for these diseases, but there are other things you can adjust to better your life with COPD, including changing your diet.
When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), breathing exercises are an important way to maintain your quality of life, extend your ability to exercise, and stay calm during an acute exacerbation.
With COPD, breathing can be a challenge for the following reasons:
Asthma is controllable, but it can be scary and even dangerous if it’s not kept in check—and having allergies can be downright annoying. Having both asthma and allergies, though, can be the source of some major problems, and the two often coexist. Often, asthma worsens when allergies do—during the spring and late summer.
Exercising with oxygen therapy (also known as EWOT) has many potential benefits and can be a great way to reduce the physical stress of exercise. This is especially true if you have the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or any other respiratory illness that affects your ability to receive oxygen.
Having COPD can make life more challenging, even when it comes to everyday things and small tasks. If you need a little bit of help throughout the day, you might want to consider getting a service dog. They aren't just for the blind, even though that's what they're most commonly used for, and they are called "seeing eye dogs" to distinguish them from other types of service dogs for those with other medical needs and disabilities.
Of course, you'll need to talk to your doctor and do some of your research before making a serious decision about getting a service dog.
Summer weather and heatwaves can be cause for concern, but it can be especially dangerous for those who suffer from chronic lung diseases and rely on oxygen concentrators. Make sure that you and your loved ones are staying safe in the summertime heat so that everyone can breathe easy.
If you spend time outdoors during the day, try to plan your errands and other outdoor time for early in the morning or late in the evening. The middle of the day is when it is hottest, with the sun high overhead and temperatures soaring, and it can exacerbate any breathing difficulties. When you are outside, make sure that you’re dressed appropriately in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
If you have breathing difficulties, you know that the summer brings some complications: high humidity and extreme heat can exacerbate conditions such as COPD. In fact, one study showed a strong association between weather-related heat and emergency hospitalizations related to respiratory distress, meaning that those who suffer from these conditions must take even better care of themselves when the temperatures rise.
In addition to taking care of themselves, though, they need to take care of their oxygen concentrators. Units aren’t made to withstand extreme heat, so it’s important to ensure you’re keeping it safe along with yourself.
If you have a loved one with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you might be wondering:
How can I best support their care and well-being?
COPD creates new challenges both for patients and their families. Depending on the severity of the illness, there might be new medications, significant lifestyle changes, regular doctor appointments, and new respiratory equipment. These challenges can become frustrating for patients and difficult for family members to keep track of.
