A COPD care plan provides a list of actions that people can take to manage their condition. These actions depend on whether the person is feeling well or having a flare-up. Show A COPD care plan may involve taking certain medications, using oxygen, and engaging in healthy lifestyle practices, such as exercising and eating a nutritious diet. Care plans also offer instructions on when to call a doctor and seek emergency treatment. The purpose of the care plan is to provide guidance on what to do during every phase of COPD. This article discusses COPD care plans, why they are important, and what they include. It also examines how to get the most from a care plan and what to ask a doctor. A COPD care plan is an action or self-management plan. A typical plan has the below three sections: Green zoneThe green zone refers to times when a person is feeling well and experiencing only the usual amounts of coughing and mucus production. Actions to take in this zone include:
Yellow zoneThis refers to times when someone has a flare-up. Symptoms of a flare-up may include:
Actions to take may include:
Red zoneThe red zone denotes times when urgent medical care is necessary. Symptoms may involve:
Actions to take in the red zone include getting immediate medical care. They may also involve things to do while waiting on help. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), a care or action plan can have the following benefits for people with COPD:
A 2018 study adds that following a written action plan can reduce the recovery time after flare-ups. This stems from being able to quickly recognize worsening symptoms and knowing what additional medications to take. Adherence to an action plan of healthy lifestyle practices can make a difference in COPD severity, the number of flare-ups, and disease progression. Additionally, research from 2016 notes that self-management actions may improve quality of life and decrease hospital admissions due to respiratory problems. A person’s doctor or members of their health care team create the plan. Although a care plan includes instructions concerning medications and when to call a doctor, another important section involves lifestyle change advisories. These may include the following: Quitting smokingEvidence shows that smoking causes respiratory disease. Due to the increase in smoking worldwide, experts project that tobacco-attributed deaths, including those from COPD, will reach 8.3 million in 2030. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that quitting smoking is the most important part of COPD treatment for people who smoke. A person should also avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and other air pollutants. Eating a healthy dietAccording to the ALA, the right nutrients in the diet can result in better breathing. When the body metabolizes food, carbohydrates produce the most carbon dioxide for the amount of oxygen used, while fat produces the least. For this reason, some people with COPD may breathe better when they eat more fat and fewer carbohydrates. Aside from this, following a healthy eating plan is generally beneficial. The ALA recommends the following nutritional guidelines for people with COPD:
ExerciseRegular physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle, even for people with COPD, states the ALA. However, a person should ask a doctor about specific exercise recommendations before starting a routine. Moderate exercise can improve:
Despite the benefits, people with COPD should not exercise when they:
Breathing exercisesThe ALA recommends doing the below two breathing exercises daily to make the lungs work more efficiently. A person should do each exercise for 5–10 minutes. With regular practice, the exercises can:
Pursed-lip breathingThis involves breathing in through the nose and then breathing out twice as long through the mouth with the lips pursed. This allows more air to flow in and out of the lungs. Diaphragmatic breathingThis entails breathing in through the nose and then breathing out through the mouth for two to three times the inhale duration. During this exercise, placing the hand lightly on the stomach helps to be aware of the diaphragm’s rise and fall with each breath. Keeping the neck and shoulders relaxed will help retrain the diaphragm. An occupational therapist can teach people with COPD ways to converse their energy. This may involve measures such as:
A 2020 clinical trial involving 22 people with severe COPD provides an example of how energy conservation can help. The authors asked the participants to climb six flights of stairs, resting at least 5 seconds after every three steps. They compared the effect of this intervention with those of a control group that climbed the stairs at their own pace. The results indicated that the energy-conservation method of taking regular short rests led to less labored breathing. However, it is important to note that these recommendations are for people with severe COPD. The ALA suggests asking a doctor the following questions about COPD:
A COPD care plan is a guide that a person can follow in every phase of their condition. If they feel well, they can take their regular medications and engage in exercise. When someone has a flare-up, they may need to rest more and take additional medications, such as a corticosteroid or antibiotic. Whether a person feels well or is experiencing a flare-up, it is best to follow doctor-recommended advisories, such as abstaining from smoking and eating a nutritious diet. What kind of doctor do you see for emphysema?Your first appointment to check for emphysema may be with your primary doctor or with a specialist in lung diseases (pulmonologist).
Can a pulmonologist help with COPD?Pulmonologists often employ lung therapies for patients who have moderate to severe COPD, especially oxygen therapy. The narrowing of the airways in the lungs – which is characteristic of COPD – can reduce blood oxygen levels, so supplemental oxygen is often prescribed to help control the issue.
How can a respiratory therapist help someone with COPD?Respiratory therapist
They can have many different roles, but their job can include: Giving breathing tests. Teaching different breathing techniques. Teaching how to use supplemental oxygen.
What are the management options for the patient with emphysema?Emphysema. Medications. Bronchodilator Medications. ... . Vaccines. Patients with emphysema should receive a flu shot annually and pneumonia shot every five to seven years to prevent infections.. Oxygen Therapy. ... . Surgery or Lung Transplant. ... . Protein Therapy. ... . Pulmonary Rehabilitation.. |