If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know the daily challenges of living with a disease that can leave you tired and short of breath. In addition to following a treatment plan, there are things you can do to control your symptoms and help make some of your routine tasks a little easier.
As a pulmonologist, I often discuss these strategies with my patients. Here are some approaches I share with them to help manage COPD symptoms throughout the day.
Starting your day
Mornings can be challenging for people with COPD. Pace yourself and go slowly as you move into your daily routine. Keep some drinking water by your bed to help thin out mucus production, which can be worse in the morning.
Bathing
If shower steam makes you short of breath, try leaving the door or a window cracked and turning down the water temperature a touch. If you have difficulty standing, consider using a shower chair for support.
Getting dressed
Lay out your clothing the night before. Choose loose clothing that won’t constrict your breathing. Your clothes and your shoes should be easy to get on and off. Shoes with Velcro fasteners can be a good choice. Use long-handled reachers and shoehorns to avoid bending over.
Preparing meals
I recommend keeping often-used spices and a few favorite pots and pans on the counter or stovetop. That way, you won’t have to bend and pluck them from a cabinet, which makes it harder to breathe. Many of my patients find that having everything ready and in its place also makes cooking less stressful.
I tell my patients they can conserve more energy by:
- Chopping and doing other food preparation while sitting down
- Using a slow cooker, or only one large pot or pan, so that there are fewer dishes to wash
- Making more than enough and refrigerating the rest for leftovers
Eating
For my patients who get short of breath while eating, I often suggest eating four to six smaller meals throughout the day. This helps your diaphragm move freely and makes it easier for your lungs to fill and empty.
Cleaning and other chores
Do your tasks at the time of day when you feel more energetic. And consider completing them in small chunks throughout the week, instead of all at once. For easier housekeeping:
- Use a cart to roll things around your home instead of carrying them
- Sit in a chair during tasks such as folding or ironing clothes
- Use a long-handled reacher to pick up clothes from the floor
- Prioritize your tasks by focusing on what has to get done now and what can wait
- Ask for help when you need it
Shopping
Shop during quieter hours to avoid standing in long checkout lines. A shopping list can help you conserve your energy because you’ll spend less time wandering the aisles. And consider shopping at a smaller store that’s easier to get around.
Remember to pace yourself and rest when you need to. Use a shopping cart that you can lean against and catch your breath. You can also use a shopping cart to position yourself upright, which makes it easier to breathe.
Learn a breathing technique to support your active routine
If you feel short of breath during any of your day-to-day tasks, try pursed-lip breathing. It’s a way of slowing your breathing, which helps you breathe more air in and out of your lungs.
If you don’t know how to do pursed-lip breathing, I suggest that you consider attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program for people with lung diseases. You can learn more about breathing strategies and techniques for conserving your energy in pulmonary rehab.
World-class care for COPD
The Temple Lung Center is home to specialists who focus on complex diseases like COPD. At Temple, we offer comprehensive care and support. And our innovative treatment options and research programs have made the program a recognized leader throughout the world.
To make an appointment with a Temple COPD expert, call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) or schedule an appointment online.
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