Understanding and Managing COPD Comorbidities

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A man who is managing COPD comorbidities uses an inhaler.

Managing COPD comorbidities is easier with these expert tips.

Watching an older loved one manage the daily challenges of COPD is not easy. You see them struggle with breathlessness and fatigue, and you want to do all you can to help. What you might not realize is that COPD often brings along other health conditions, known as comorbidities. Managing COPD comorbidities in tandem with COPD requires first learning about them, and then supporting and advocating for the person to stay on top of necessary screenings and treatments.

Below are a few of the most common COPD comorbidities:

  • Problems With Sleep. Problems with sleep, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia, are common in people with COPD. These conditions can lead to fragmented sleep, further contributing to fatigue and decreased quality of life. Management strategies may include the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes medications to boost sleep quality.
  • Anxiety and Depression. Mental health conditions, particularly anxiety and depression, are common among individuals with COPD. The chronic nature of the disease, the physical limitations it imposes, and the fear of breathlessness can all contribute to psychological distress. It’s essential for health care providers to routinely screen for these conditions and offer appropriate interventions like counseling, medications, and support groups to help the person manage their mental health alongside their COPD.
  • Lung Cancer. COPD significantly increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer. The shared primary risk factor of smoking is a substantial contributor, but COPD itself is an independent risk factor due to chronic inflammation and damage to lung tissue. Regular screenings for lung cancer, specifically in smokers and former smokers, are crucial for early detection and improved outcomes.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD, a digestive disorder where stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting the mouth and stomach, is often found in individuals with COPD. The chronic coughing associated with COPD can exacerbate GERD symptoms, and vice versa. Effective management includes dietary adjustments, medications to reduce gastric acid, and lifestyle changes like elevating the head during sleep.
  • Diabetes. Diabetes is yet another condition frequently seen alongside COPD. The link between the two is thought to be associated with systemic inflammation and the impact of corticosteroid use, common in COPD treatment, on blood sugar. Managing diabetes requires close monitoring of blood glucose levels, dietary adjustments, and sometimes adjustments in medication to make certain both conditions are properly controlled.
  • Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bones, is common in people with COPD. Factors contributing to this include long-term use of corticosteroids, decreased physical exercise, and systemic inflammation. This raises the risk of fractures, complicating the person’s health. Preventive steps include bone density screenings, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, weight-bearing exercises, and sometimes medications to strengthen bones.
  • Cardiovascular Diseases. One of the most common comorbidities your loved one might face is cardiovascular disease. People with COPD are at a higher likelihood of developing conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. The reasons for this greater risk include shared factors like smoking, systemic inflammation, and the strain that reduced oxygen levels put on the heart. Regular cardiovascular examinations and proactive management of heart health are vital for their well-being.

How Responsive Home Care Can Help

If someone you love is managing COPD and its comorbidities, Responsive Home Care is here to help. Our trained and experienced care team is a key component of a better quality of life for seniors with chronic health conditions. Reach out to us today at 954-486-6400 to schedule a free in-home consultation to learn more about our in-home care services in Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Hollywood, and throughout Broward County.

 

Discussing a COPD Diagnosis: How to Communicate Well with Those You Love

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happy-senior-man-holding-oxygen-mask-with-copdIt began with those in your inner circle, and it has gradually been spreading outward to friends and acquaintances. Discussing a COPD diagnosis and knowing how to reply to the various questions that arise about it could be uncomfortable – for you personally, and for those you are speaking with as well.

Surprisingly, you could find that the largest challenges come in speaking with your primary caregiving partner – the individual who is closest to you. The caregiver/care receiver relationship can bring up a number of emotions. The individual on the receiving end of care may feel self-conscious and insecure as a result of needing assistance, which may result in feelings of anger and frustration, just to name a few. The care provider may feel incapable of meeting each of the required needs, regretful for mistakes made, and downright fatigued from trying to handle someone else’s care needs with their own.

There are several key techniques to improve communication with your caregiving partner:

  • Make sure you are both completely knowledgeable about COPD, the corresponding symptoms and treatment plans, as well as its typical progression. The doctor can offer educational materials for both of you to better understand what you are facing.
  • Don’t beat around the bush. Honestly and clearly express your emotions and needs.
  • Listen to your partner – and let them know they’re being heard. Maintain eye contact, nod or use other nonverbal indicators to demonstrate you’re listening.
  • Be assertive without being controlling. Your emotions are valid and deserve to be shared in a constructive way without lashing out at the other person.
  • Avoid argumentative phrases and words, such as, “You always…” or “You never…”. The individual is probably going to become defensive, intensifying hurt feelings.
  • Remind yourself that no one is a mind-reader. If you are assuming your caregiving partner knows what you’re thinking or how you’re feeling simply by your actions, it opens the door to misunderstandings.
  • Maintain empathy and respect for each other. You both are facing new and evolving challenges, and will both make mistakes. A little grace will go a long way.

It’s also a wise idea to call a time-out if emotions start to intensify. Take a break from one another and concentrate on calming activities, such as reading, listening to music, exercising, or writing in a journal. When you both feel calmer, try the conversation again.

At Responsive Home Care, we understand the frustrations that can arise when managing a chronic health condition like COPD, and we’re available to help. Our friendly caregivers make ideal companions to talk with and to spend time with, engaging in enjoyable activities together. We work with family caregivers to make sure they have time required for self-care, while enhancing the lives of the seniors for whom they care. Contact us any time to find out more about our home care in Plantation and throughout the area.

Can Humidifiers Help With COPD Symptoms?

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Are humidifiers good for COPD? We’ve got the answers you need!

For seniors with lung conditions, maintaining the ideal air quality in the house is vital for managing COPD symptoms. Air that is too dry, for instance, may cause or exacerbate health issues; for example:

  • Dry, itchy, or chapped skin
  • Nose bleeds
  • A sore throat
  • Dry eyes
  • Aggravated allergy, asthma, and flu/cold symptoms such as congestion
  • And much more

Yet air that is too humid can cause mold and mildew to develop, which can cause a number of health problems along with causing damage to the house.

So, are humidifiers good for treating COPD symptoms in older adults?

Humidifiers, when used correctly, can help maintain the perfect degree of moisture in the air (between 30 – 50%), and especially for anyone with a chronic lung disease, can foster eased breathing, reduced irritation of nasal passages, and also the ability to more efficiently expel phlegm in coughing.

Furthermore, using a humidifier during the night can ease snoring and congestion, help minimize the amount of any allergens, viruses and bacteria in the air, even relieve a dry scalp. Again, use caution to be sure the level of humidity does not exceed the ideal range, which could bring about disrupted sleep patterns.

There are different types of humidifiers available:

  • Central humidifiers, that are built into the home’s central air conditioning/heating unit; the most costly option, but one that benefits the whole home rather than just one room
  • Impeller humidifiers, utilizing a cool mist, which is a safer alternative because it can’t cause burns; it could, however, trigger allergic or asthmatic problems if overused
  • Evaporators, blowing air through a dampened filter; an economical choice, but can be a problem if allowed to add too much moisture into the air
  • Ultrasonic humidifiers, using vibrations to create mist in either a cool or warm option; offered in a number of sizes
  • Steam vaporizers, which are typically the most affordable and most portable option; water is heated and then cooled before being expelled into the air

Check with a doctor about the advantages of a humidifier in your loved one’s specific circumstances, and which kind is preferred.

Responsive Home Care, the top-rated provider of home care in Deerfield Beach, FL and surrounding areas, is here to assist individuals with chronic health problems like COPD, or simply just the challenges inherent in normal aging, through a variety of home care services. Contact us at 954-486-6440 to see how we can help you breathe easier with reliable in-home support.

Best COVID-19 Tips and Resources for Seniors with COPD

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Our care team provides top notch care services for seniors with COPD.

Seniors with COPD have had to remain especially vigilant since the COVID-19 pandemic started, because they are likely at both an increased risk for contracting the virus and also for developing more serious complications. A newly released study published by the European Respiratory Journal reported that people with COPD were more apt to be admitted into the ICU, require ventilator care, and succumb to the virus than those without the disease.

And even though the CDC gives suggestions for all of us, as well as those diagnosed with COPD, in order to avoid contracting the illness, such as frequent handwashing, social distancing, and staying home whenever you can, one advisory is particularly a struggle for someone with breathing difficulties: wearing a face covering. The American Lung Association suggests that individuals diagnosed with COPD try a number of different kinds of coverings to discover the one that’s most comfortable, and wear the mask around the house for brief periods of time in order to become more accustomed to the feeling.

Further recommendations include:

  • Continue to take care of your COPD as recommended by the doctor, with modifications to curb your contact with others, such as telehealth appointments and mail-order prescriptions.
  • Boost your body’s defense system with a healthy diet and a lot of rest, and be sure to follow the physician’s recommended plan for treatment.
  • Take proper care of your emotional health to lower anxiety and stress. Switch off the social media and the news and participate in pleasant and gratifying activities instead. And make sure to consult with a mental health professional as needed for assistance with managing stress and combating depression.

Of particular significance for those with COPD is the importance of frequent exercise. According to David Au, MD, professor at the University of Washington Medical School’s division of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, due to the fact that COPD causes shortness of breath, physical exercise is particularly challenging. He, as well as the Respiratory Health Association, suggest (with physician approval):

  • Strive for at least 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis, at least three times every week.
  • Try leg lifts, marching in place, and arm circles, making use of canned goods or small weights.
  • Go up and down stairs
  • Include yoga breathing exercises.

These resources offer more helpful suggestions specific to COPD issues during the COVID-19 pandemic:

For specialized in-home care for individuals diagnosed with COPD or other chronic conditions, call on Responsive Home Care. Our staff are fully trained and experienced in providing personalized care to help make life safer and much more enjoyable. You may reach us any time at 954-486-6440 and find out why we’re the home care company Ft. Lauderdale, FL families (and other surrounding areas) trust and recommend most. To learn more about all of the areas we serve in Florida, please visit our Service Area page.