Signals AZ

Understanding COPD

What is COPD? How do you treat it?

Article audio is made possible by CAST11 Prescott Podcast Network. A Talking Glass Media production.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. COPD lungs are unable to provide enough oxygen or clear the waste product, carbon dioxide, from the blood and can include symptoms like breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production, and wheezing. Two common contributing conditions of COPD include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Although this is considered a progressive disease that gets worse over time, COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life.

How Does COPD Affect Clients?

Shortness of breath, coughing producing thick mucus, fear, and anxiety are common symptoms. Clients with CPOD may constantly fear they cannot breathe. Other symptoms include poor appetite, weakness and fatigue, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty sleeping, and a high risk of lung infections such as pneumonia.

What can Caregivers do to Provide Support?

  • Respond to a client’s anxiety by remaining calm and supportive.
  • Offer a fan to help increase air movement by the face and relieve feelings of breathlessness.
  • Help clients manage weakness and fatigue by conserving energy and prioritizing tasks.
  • Follow proper infection control processes to reduce the spread of infection.
  • Understand and encourage clients to use pursed-lip breathing.

What you should know:

Diet and nutrition are important parts of care with COPD. Taking steps like eating more nutritious meals, especially with breakfast, limiting salt/sodium intake, and eating high fiber and calcium-rich meals are all important to health. Limited salt/sodium intake is important to nutritional needs as this reduces water retention making it easier to breathe. In addition, avoid gas-inducing foods as they can also make breathing more difficult with the resulting bloating.

Learn more about COPD and your care with the Visiting Angels COPD Guide.

To find out more about Visiting Angels of Northern Arizona’s commitment to excellence, please visit www.visitingangels.com/flagstaff/home or www.visitingangels.com/prescott/home or call 928-220-4100.


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One response to “Understanding COPD”

  1. Cecelia Jernegan says:

    Great article and well written. Thank you for this update for our seniors, veterans and anyone struggling with COPD!

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