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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Guardian Alliance, Louisville, OH (2026)

04/19/2023

Increasing Your Pulse Oxygen Levels With COPD

What is pulse oximetry?
Pulse oximetry is a way of measuring oxygen saturation levels in the blood.
It is a simple way of capturing what is happening at rest, during activity, or even exercise.
Most healthy adults without COPD will have a 95% or higher level.
During her first hospitalization, we found that my moms were much lower than that.
It sent us all on a journey to see how to improve it.
Most of her efforts were spent on posture, nutrition, and drinking plenty of water.
It also included mild cardio exercise and pursed mouth breathing.
She saw a lot of improvement over time, and I hope these tips will help you too.

Increasing your pulse oxygen level
Here are a few things we did to get my mom's pulse oxygen levels up.

Posture
Mom was no slouch. Head up, eager to face the world; she kept her shoulders back everywhere she went.
However, once diagnosed with COPD, she spent more time in what she called her "easy chair."
She sank in, and soon her shoulders curled forward. This cut of lung capacity,
and you guessed it - her pulse ox was lowered. She learned that by sitting at the kitchen table, she sat up straighter.

Mild cardio
It seems that I lay right on her sciatic nerve for nine months. I didn't mean to,
but during her pregnancy, it did cause some damage that prevented her from walking long distances.
Moreover, it meant no bike riding either. So, regarding cardio, she did chair exercises that
helped raise her heart rate slightly. This also helped work her heart and arm muscles.

Pursed mouth breathing
When your oxygen struggles to keep us with your heart's demand, it's exhausting.
Mom learned and practiced pursed mouth breathing.
It's one of the things I am the proudest of. She mastered that, and it gave her many years of active living.

Nutrition
Last but not least, eating healthy is another hallmark of my mom's life. She cooked at ate most of her meals.
Coming from a generation that didn't have access to a lot of fast food helped. In truth, though,
she enjoyed her own cooking and chose to use good ingredients.

Slow but sure progress to increasing your pulse oxygen with COPD can be a great thing to measure.
Tell your doctor that you would like to set goals for your pulse and oxygen levels.

04/16/2023

Self-Care and Why We Need It
The term “self-care” has become quite a buzzword in recent times and I am a huge fan of it.
Self-care is literally taking time to care for yourself.
We live in a day and age where we seem to constantly be on the go and we often forget or just don't take the time to care for ourselves.
Here are a few ways that I practice self-care.

Hobbies
Doing something you enjoy is so therapeutic. There are several hobbies that I enjoy including crocheting and making fancy greeting cards.
I also love to play guitar and that has been a constant in my life for the past 21 years.
A new hobby I recently started is hand-dyeing wood flowers and making arrangements for my family and friends.

Relaxation
Taking the time to relax is very beneficial to not only our bodies but also our mind.
I love to take naps, even if it is just a short catnap in the afternoon when I have 30 minutes to myself.
Relaxing might mean watching your favorite television show or sitting outside in a lawn chair on a beautiful day.
Yoga is another great way to ground yourself and get in purposeful movement at the same time. Relaxing in
a warm bubble bath with a good book is also at the top of my favorite ways to relax.

Journaling
Whatever is on my mind
I have kept a journal for many years. While I don't keep up with it as often as I would like I still really enjoy it
when I take the time to sit and write in it whatever is on my mind. Something I recently started
writing down is “5 things that don’t suck” whenever I am feeling anxious or down.

Spend time with loved ones
Getting together with friends and family is a wonderful way to lift spirits. If you are unable to meet in person,
pick up the phone and have a nice chat that way. Writing letters is an almost forgotten form
of communication but is something I like to do and receive as well. There will always be that excitement
when I open up my mailbox to find a handwritten letter from a friend that I can’t wait to read and write back!

04/12/2023

Most common outpatient antibiotics
Macrolide class
Azithromycin and clarithromycin, or Zithromax and Biaxin respectively,
are common antibiotics used. They have favorable dosing,
dosed once daily for azithromycin or up to twice daily for clarithromycin.

A potential concern for this class of medications is the risk of QTC prolongation,
which is a heart rhythm disorder that can occur in some high-risk individuals.
If you have drug interactions and are of older age,
your doctor may decide to avoid this class of drugs to reduce the risk of heart abnormalities.

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
This drug is commonly known as amoxiclav and is a combination drug.
It is more effective than amoxicillin alone for COPD exacerbations.
This drug is typically dosed twice to three times a day and must be taken with food.
Diarrhea is a common side effect. Of note, people with severe penicillin allergy cannot take this medication.

Fluoroquinolone class
This class of medications includes ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.
These drugs have unique administration requirements; for example,
they should not be taken within 2 hours of dairy (i.e., milk and yogurt) products,
and should be taken on an empty stomach. Over time, you may start to recognize the name of these medications.
Is there a specific antibiotic that is often prescribed for your exacerbations? Share your experiences below!

04/08/2023

Taking Control of Your Anxiety
One thing that I know for certain is that many of us struggle with anxiety.
Even if you don’t have COPD, you may be suffering from anxiety on some level.
We don’t all have anxiety about the same things, but we all have a level of anxiety that has similar threads.

Learning how to react
The first few times an episode of shortness of breath happens, your brain learns how to react to it.
It is like being a fish out of water that is gasping for oxygen. How you react to each episode of shortness of breath,
will dictate what your future anxiety levels will be.

The first step to controlling anxiety is knowing it can be done and wanting to control it. Here is a guide for what to do next:

Find a place to sit or lean against a wall or railing.
If you are in a sitting position, placing your hands on your knees, and palms up will aid in opening the lungs.
Relax your shoulders by dropping them. It may be uncomfortable the first few times you do it.
Breathe in through your nose.
Take a deep breath, but do not let your shoulders move.
Breathe deep enough to make your stomach move. This is abdominal breathing.
Keep your mouth closed and inhale in through your nose.
Close your eyes and maintain your breathing while you focus on a thought.
Concentrate on your thought.
Create a happy story. It doesn't have to be real, or true, or ever really going to happen, but it is your story.
Create it as you want it to be.
Taking control
Practice this 3 times a day, every day, and it can help you learn how to manage anxiety when it jumps out at you.
How do you handle anxiety when you have an episode of shortness of breath?

04/04/2023

I am a respiratory therapist. I get to know many people with COPD.
Oftentimes we become friends, and the topic comes up: “What can you do to avoid the emergency room (ER)?”
Here is what I say.
Here is a list of some of the things I say:

As soon as you even think you need help, seek it!
The earlier you seek help the better.
The earlier you seek help, the easier it is for doctors to fix you up and get you back home.
Seeking help early can sometimes make it so you can be treated in the comfort of your own home.
Call your doctor! He or she may just need to make a simple tweak to your treatment regimen to get you feeling better.
He or she may simply call in a prescription.
Learn your early warning symptoms of COPD and take swift actions

Examples of early warning symptoms include:

New or worsening shortness of breath.
New or worsening chest tightness.
New or worsening ankle or leg edema.
New or worsening anxiety.
Cold symptoms like sniffles and sneezes.
Shortness of breath with exertion, or more so than what is normal for you.
Wheezing.
Coughing that is new or worsening.
Increased production of mucus.
Colorful mucus (it’s green, brown, or red).
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Bloating.
Weight loss.
The feeling that something is not right or out of the ordinary.

What should you do if you experience these?
Call or email your doctor! Do it right away.
A simple change to your treatment regimen may be all that you need to do to stay home.
Most doctors also have emails. If you know your doctor's email, you can email them.
A nurse or doctor will respond with advice on what to do next.

04/01/2023

Have smells ever bothered you because of your COPD? Everyday smells can trigger health issues
Laundry aisle I remember going shopping with my mom from a very early age,
and every time we went down the cleaning and laundry detergent aisle, it took my breath away.
I can smell it right now as I'm writing this.
Grass When my dad was mowing the grass, I couldn't be outside because that smell also bothered me,
making it hard for me to breathe. I would also get hives on my arms and legs if I played in that fresh, cut grass.
Cleaning products Using cleaning products over the years with the different jobs I had at the jail, hospital,
and nursing homes bothered me as well. I wish I had known about my Alpha-1 back then,
and I would have used natural cleaners sooner.
Candles, room sprays, disinfectant sprays I get an instant headache when I use any of those.
Thank goodness I have found all-natural essential oils to help me there.
Gas leak Any time there has been a gas leak, I am always the first to smell it.
I don’t know what makes my nose more aware than others, but I always seem to be the first to smell anything.
Burning leave or wood These are another instant headache. Our town has allowed two burn days a week;
if the wind is just right, it seems to go straight toward my house.
Colognes, perfumes, and lotions Sometimes, I can handle the smell, but not very often.
I feel like if I smell a very light fragrance, it's okay and doesn't give me a headache.
But most of the time, it feels like people took a bath in cologne or lotion.

Do any of these things trigger your lungs or a headache? Please comment and let us know.

03/28/2023

COPD and New Hobbies
When mom was frustrated with feeling cooped up, she used hobbies to keep happy with her COPD.
Some were expensive and involved time and planning.

Potential new hobbies are everywhere
Mama loved starting houseplants. She once put toothpicks in a sweet potato, taking over the entire kitchen wall.
We teased her that it was like Jumanji. We all know that living things are a great way to stay in touch with nature regardless of the weather.

Fabric gifts can be treasures too. Whether it's a cross stitch, a lap robe, a scarf, or stuffed animals,
these gifts can be a delightful way to keep your hands busy. Making potholders is also a fun project that never goes out of style.

If you’re not the crafty type, it's best to start with something small and manageable.

Over the years, she did a lot of ceramics. My kids grew up cleaning the greenware and painting.
Eventually, mom saved and got her kiln. It was something we all enjoyed, especially during the holidays.

Looking for new projects
Some of her items were purchased at garage sales. She would clean it up or change the color;
it was almost as good as new. Search the online marketplaces and find a craft project that someone has discarded.
That’s how mom got over a dozen unpainted blocks of wood.
She stenciled cute sayings on there and gifted them to friends and family.

Can you think of a cool one that you can make?

03/25/2023

The Solution: Showering or Bathing

I have a shower chair, and it is ok, but I remain very short of breath for the duration of my shower.
Never been a real shower person in the past. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to try again.
So, I did, and once again, I panicked and had to get out immediately.

The next day, I called a medical supply store to see if they had a solution for me. If necessity is the mother of invention,
my solution was right there.

Bathtub lift chairs might be my solution
Research sent me online shopping, but it was cost prohibitive at about $900.00. I was very sad because, being on a pension,
I just could not justify it. Then I finally looked at used ones on a local buy-sell-trade page.

I find that most people selling these items had some help from their insurance to purchase, and I do not have this insurance.
After a loved one dies, the family wants the equipment gone, but they also want to give it to someone who appreciates it.
It is often used sparingly or not at all.

Equipment like this often goes for a really good price. Paying 1/6 of what I would have paid new was a bargain I could not turn down.
I always follow Covid protocols when meeting or buying items from someone in person.

I found one online. He said his dad went into hospice before he could enjoy it, so it was brand new. I can sit on my bath lift
and be gently lowered into the water, and when my bath is over, I push the button and rise to a sitting position.
It has a swivel seat that helps you quickly get in and out of the bath.

Bathing is exhausting
Given the opportunity, I would bathe every day, but the truth is that even with a bath lift, I do not have enough energy to do it every day.
When I do take a bath, I genuinely enjoy it. I can use it as a shower chair when I don't want a bath.

03/21/2023

Better living with COPD.Here are some of the things I can think of that help us:

Better medicine
Medicine has improved immensely in the past 20 years. We have many more options to try in our quest to gain better control over COPD and other health concerns.

Not only that, but most medicines we take today only need to be taken once or twice daily.
This makes it so much easier to stay compliant with our treatment regimen

Better machines
Some people in this community benefit from using machines such as CPAP and BiPAP.
These are machines that apply pressure to our breaths as we are sleeping. They help assure our breathing stays deep enough as we sleep,
and they help to keep our airways open and our oxygen levels safe while sleeping. This bodes well for us, allowing us to feel better during the daytime.

Researchers, scientists, pharmaceuticals
Researchers, pharmacists, and pharmaceuticals are working overtime to learn more about our disease.
As they continue their quest, they make new discoveries. Many of these discoveries lead to better wisdom for doctors to help us feel better.
They also lead to better treatments for helping us manage our disease on a day-to-day basis.

COPD guidelines
Researchers have shared their wisdom with doctors. Together they have created guidelines to guide doctors in treating you.
As they learn more, they update these guidelines and further educate physicians on how best to utilize them.
This guideline strategy has gone a long way to helping many of us live better and longer despite our diseases.

Pharmacists
In the past, the main job of the pharmacist was to fill our prescriptions. Today, not only do they do that,
but they also educate us about the medicines we are taking. They visit us annually to answer our medicinal questions or concerns.
Whenever you have a question about your medicines (such as your inhalers not working right),
a pharmacist is always available to help you and perhaps get you a replacement inhaler.

03/18/2023

Dressing in layers for comfort
When I was younger and worked in my gardens, I would rise early in the mornings and dress in many layers starting with a t-shirt and many layers,
ending with a hoodie. It was perfect for the cool mornings that turned into warm afternoons.

As I worked away, I could shed layers to stay comfortable without overheating or being cold. Then as day turned into night,
and as the temperatures cooled, I could go in reverse and put all my layers back on gain. It was a great way to be unrestricted and maintain my temperature.

Layers at work
When working as a business instructor, I dressed business casual, and I would feel comfortable with layering.
Most of my outfits started with a shirt, then a jacket, and on top of that was my coat.

Coats make me feel constrained
As COPD started in earnest and I started to become breathless upon exertion, it became paramount that I could get my coat off as soon as possible.
The very thought of being restricted with a coat on would increase my anxiety and cause greater shortness of breath.

Back in the days when I was still driving, I would get into the car and immediately take off my coat.
Having a car starter and heated seats really helped me to use layering and go without my coat.

While driving, I could never take a chance on coughing and being unable to get my coat off.

COPD and feeling restricted
Since I have had COPD, the thought of being confined makes me feel like I am inside a coffin and they are closing the lid.
Perhaps it is the constant breathlessness that we all feel or the struggle to breathe that makes it happen.

I only go short distances now that I have COPD, and my retired husband takes me anywhere I want to go. I no longer drive,
but when he drives, and we go out, I usually wear sweaters and capes.

They keep me warm without restricting me. How do you handle the weight and constriction of heavy coats in the winter?

03/14/2023

Springtime and COPD
This is a great season that brings about many joys. Still, it can also be a season to be wary of, especially if you have COPD.

Listed here are some of the things that can pose problems for people in this community, followed by some tips to help you manage your way through the season.

Walking
If you are like me, the first thing you want to do on that first warm day with no snow is getting outside and go for a walk.
Here are some tips to help you enjoy your walks.

Walk with a partner. Or, if you choose to walk alone, tell someone that you are going for a walk and where you are walking.
It may also be a good idea if this person has a car in case you need to call for a ride.
Pace yourself. Walk at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Don’t walk too far. It may be best to start out with a short walk, such as around the block. Gradually over time, you may consider walking longer distances.
Just be wary that however far you walk, you will have to walk back that same distance.
Make sure to bring your rescue inhaler with you in case you need it. It’s always a good idea to have your rescue inhaler nearby.
But it’s especially important when you are out and about. Bring your phone along just in case you run into breathing trouble while you are walking.
Your phone may also come in handy if you decide that you have walked too far.

03/10/2023

Sleep-related disorders are most prevalent in adults and are associated with increased mortality
and morbidity from obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression, resulting in reduced
quality of life (QOL) and increased healthcare costs. Patients with severe COPD commonly exhibit abnormal
sleep like insomnia contributing to chronic fatigue, and daytime sleepiness. Additionally, medications used to treat COPD,
such as albuterol or prednisone may affect sleep quality. A nocturnal reduction of nocturnal oxygen levels commonly seen in patients
with COPD can have profound effects and contribute to long-term sequelae, producing arrhythmias, myocardial stress, and, possibly, lower survival.

Sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic medical condition where the affected person repeatedly stops or nearly stops breathing during sleep.
These episodes last 10 seconds or more and cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop leading to important health consequences.
Usually, it is caused by obstruction of the upper airway, resulting in obstructive sleep apnea. However, it may be caused also by a failure
of the brain to initiate a breath, called central sleep apnea. OSA is very common, especially in older adults, occurring in up to 70% of men and 56% of women.
Other important risk factors associated with OSA include smoking and alcohol. OSA occurs in about 10 to 15% of patients with COPD, a condition referred to as the “overlap syndrome”

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Guardian Alliance

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