COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is an incurable progressive lung condition often brought on by smoking or long-term pollution exposure, requiring medications, therapies, and possibly oxygen therapy in order to manage symptoms and keep breathing as normally as possible.
Inhaled bronchodilators such as ipratropium bromide-albuterol (Combivent Respimat) or budesonide-formoterol fumarate (Duaklir Pressair) help to relieve coughing and make breathing easier, as well as helping prevent COPD flare-ups by decreasing airway inflammation. A drug called roflumilast (Daliresp) also may provide additional benefits by decreasing coughing episodes.
Mind-body therapies
Mind-body therapies such as yoga and meditation have been shown to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, connect patients to their bodies more deeply, increase social support and boost optimism – making them an excellent option for people dealing with chronic pain or illness like cancer or arthritis. However, it’s essential to find a qualified practitioner when undertaking such therapies.
Mind-body therapy sessions may elicit strong emotions. Therefore, it’s essential that clients discuss this matter before beginning. Also keep in mind that mind-body techniques do not offer cures but instead can assist patients in managing and coping with them during and post session.
Mind-body therapies such as biofeedback, hypnosis, meditation, yoga and tai chi have been demonstrated to effectively reduce pain and enhance function for individuals. Other studies have also illustrated their efficacy at controlling psychological distress such as depression anxiety alcohol or drug abuse – helping individuals to cope better with traumatic life events and lessening stress and tension levels.
Mind-body therapies often garner much press attention, yet are unlikely to cause serious harm. Some therapies might have adverse reactions on some individuals however; thus it is essential that Charlotte residents find an experienced healthcare provider capable of helping make sense of these claims.
Research is ongoing into how alternative practices interact with biological responses to stress and disease in the body, particularly mindfulness meditation and mindful eating, to prevent metabolic syndrome and diabetes. They also look into whether patient expectations have any bearing on whether treatments will work effectively.
Although much of the science surrounding these practices remains inconclusive, there is growing acceptance that they provide a safe and effective approach to managing stress and other conditions. They can often be cheaper and safer than drugs while complementing other treatments as needed – though high-quality clinical data remains necessary in most cases.
Supplements
Even though COPD cannot be cured, there are ways to manage symptoms and slow disease progression at home using herbal supplements, breathing exercises and healthy diet. You should also refrain from smoking and air pollutants for maximum benefit.
Smoking exposes lungs to an irritant that damages their tissues, making breathing hard. Smokers account for between 85-90% of COPD cases; their rapid decline in lung function and increased risk for complications due to COPD include heart disease.
Your healthcare professional may conduct a physical exam and listen to your lungs in order to diagnose COPD. They will ask questions regarding your symptoms, family history and lifestyle choices as well as medications taken – be sure to bring a list along!
Supplements such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and L-carnitine can be invaluable tools in combatting COPD. These supplements can reduce inflammation, decrease flare-ups and enhance exercise capacity. Other possible help includes bromelain from pineapples and N-acetylcysteine which breaks down mucus from the lungs.
Essential oils can be an excellent natural remedy for COPD. Their vapour can help ease symptoms and clear congestion. Studies have also demonstrated their effect on airway inflammation; Eucalyptus oil in particular seems particularly helpful at relieving symptoms. Before trying any herbs or natural remedies on your own, however, always consult with a medical provider as some might interfere with medications and health conditions.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a centuries-old form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves placing needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture has long been used to treat chronic pain and migraine headaches; more recently it’s also been shown to help people breathe easier – one study suggests acupuncture improves dyspnea and quality of life for people living with COPD; however further study is required before conclusively verifying these results.
Dyspnea on exertion (DOE) is an often difficult symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), making treatment hard to manage. A study published in PLOS ONE demonstrated that acupuncture could significantly decrease dyspnea on exertion among stable COPD patients using standard medication – marking its debut as the first placebo-controlled, randomized trial to demonstrate DOE improvements from acupuncture treatment.
Although acupuncture can be effective for various ailments, it’s not suitable for everyone. When considering this form of treatment it’s wise to first consult your physician as it may cause minor side effects like dizziness and nausea as well as rare instances of bleeding at the site of the needles (though unlikely).
Acupuncture can provide relief for COPD by reducing inflammation and stimulating the immune system, relieving other symptoms like coughing and wheezing. Furthermore, acupuncture may assist with treating emphysema symptoms by aiding lung expansion and providing nutrients-rich blood supply – an aspect of COPD caused by lung damage that leads to severe breathing problems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can assist by treating any root causes for the condition like Qi and blood deficiency that are contributing factors.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative medicine that can be used to manage COPD symptoms. It may even be combined with other therapies to decrease risk of flare-ups. People living with COPD should discuss any potential complementary therapies with their doctors before beginning them; any treatments promising cures or contrary to advice must also be avoided.
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is an invaluable medical solution that can be lifesaving in cases when lung problems prevent people from receiving enough oxygen when breathing. Oxygen can be administered via nose tube, mask or tent at home; emergency departments also often employ this therapy when levels drop dangerously low. When used to help manage COPD symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue while improving energy levels, sleep patterns and quality of life.
Before considering alternative treatments for COPD, it’s essential to consult your healthcare provider first. Certain therapies could interfere with or cause adverse side effects from existing therapies while supplements could interact negatively with certain medications or health conditions.
If you have moderate to severe COPD, oxygen therapy could be essential in maintaining healthy oxygen levels and avoiding serious complications. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your needs and suggest the type of oxygen delivery system which best matches them.
Oxygen therapy is most often administered using portable units, enabling patients to continue with daily activities without interruption. Oxygen can be administered using nasal cannulas, masks, endotracheal tubes, hyperbaric chambers or even during surgery in order to keep enough oxygen levels high in your blood.
Your doctor will prescribe an amount and frequency of oxygen treatment that fits your needs, including when and how often to change between flow rates when active. It’s essential to follow their instructions exactly, or risk overdosing on oxygen or damaging your lungs.
At home, oxygen monitoring can be performed using an oximeter – a small clip-like device which straps around your finger and reads out oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels in your blood. Depending on your circumstances, an arterial blood gas (ABG) test might also be needed in order to identify abnormally low levels of oxygen in your system.
As long as oxygen therapy helps manage breathing difficulties, your prescribed COPD medications will still need to be used regularly; however, using oxygen therapy could decrease how often medications and hospital visits are necessary.
