Staying busy with Pulmonary Rehab and a long Holiday Weekend! My Sons took us hiking at nearby Horsetooth Mountain for some good times, exercise and fresh air. My Wife prepared a lovely picnic and we enjoyed some swimming in the adjacent reservoir.
Last week’s theme was all about exacerbations: what are they, what to do to prevent them, how to identify them, what to do when you have them and what to expect during recovery from one. Ironic because, well, you’ll see…
Today it was back to routine with Rehab and shopping for new tires for my Jeep. Here in Fort Collins it’s cool and rainy so, of course, I got an exacerbation with headaches, shortness of breath and coughing. Soooo after Rehab it was back to the Doctor for antibiotics. Forget the tires!
For those who haven’t experienced an exacerbation it’s hard to describe. Doctors have no numbers to go on that says – this is an exacerbation and this is not – but we know! Keep in mind that your symptoms aren’t mine because your COPD isn’t mine. We each have our own mix of upper respiratory illnesses.
Exacerbation means an increase in the severity of COPD or its symptoms. COPD exacerbations happen when your COPD respiratory symptoms flare up and become much worse than usual. Many exacerbations are caused by a viral or bacterial lung infection. Air pollution can also be a trigger. However, in about one third of severe exacerbations, the cause cannot be identified. The amount and color of your sputum is important to note such as a change in the amount of sputum (either bringing up more or bringing up less than usual) or a change in the color of your sputum from clear to deep yellow, green, brown or red.
COPD Exacerbations may last for days or weeks and can require antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, and even hospitalization. They’re different for everyone, but one thing that’s similar in most exacerbations is that they’re sudden. When you experience an exacerbation, you may not even realize it’s happening at first. The severity of symptoms you experience during an exacerbation goes beyond your day-to-day COPD symptoms.
Ignoring the signs of an exacerbation can result in hospitalization and accelerate the loss of lung function. It’s critical to seek immediate medical attention to reduce the harm from a COPD exacerbation.
Warning signs of a COPD exacerbation may include:
1. Shortness of breath
2. Noisy breathing – wheezing, whistling, rattling
3. Increased anxiety
4. Increased chest breathing
5. Cough
6. Changes in skin or nail color
7. Difficulty sleeping and no interest in eating
8. Inability to talk
9. Early morning headaches
10. Swelling in the ankles or legs or abdominal pain
Here are some tips to help you avoid acute exacerbations:
· See your health care professional at your regularly scheduled appointment even if you feel fine
· Get your flu shot every year
· Check if you are due for a pneumonia and pertussis shot
· Wash your hands often for 20 seconds with warm water and mild soap
· Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer for when you cannot wash your hands
· Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose in public to help prevent germs from entering your body
· Stay away from crowds, especially during cold and flu season
· Use your own pen, especially when signing in at your Doctor’s office or other health appointments
· Get plenty of sleep. When your body is tired, you’re more likely to get sick
· Drink plenty of water. Thick sticky mucus is more likely to get stuck in your lungs and cause problems
Today I did go to Rehab – what better place to be? The RN recommended that I try to exercise anyway to see if it helped or makes things worse. I came in with an Oxygen level of 88%. That’s alarmingly low! I went with my routine including 22 minutes treadmill, 10 minutes NuStep, 30 minutes weight lifting and 20 minutes balance and stretching exercises.
The nurse told me that I could cut back on duration of time with any of these but not to skip exercise or even the series of weight machines I’m accustomed to although I could reduce reps from 15 to 12 or even 10 if I needed to.
As I progressed through my workout, my Oxygen increased with each exercise up to 92 which is a kind of low but healthy number. It just goes to show how exercise even when you feel sick can really help your breathing! I could feel the difference! Then as soon as I got home I did a nebulizer to expand the airways even more. The rest of the day I plan on taking it slow and easy, drinking lots of water, concentrate on pursed lip and belly breathing combined with meditation, and eat very small and frequent meals.
I have a pulse/ox which measures Oxygen and Heart Rate at home. I cost me about $45 so now I can check my Oxygen as often as I need to. I recommend that folks have their own because it can either affirm low numbers (anything below 90% is a warning sign) or reassure us if our numbers are low 90s that we may feel crummy but we’re really OK.
Just one more Week of Rehab! I’ll be glad to have the time back but will miss the folks I’ve gotten to know both clients and staff! Each time I learn a bit more about my unique brand of COPD and how to manage it wisely!
Take care folks and remember, if you have COPD, absolutely nothing you do will extend your health and life if you continue to smoke! I’d rather BREATHE than smoke! How about you?
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