According to the American Lung Association, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema – is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. It is also the third leading cause of death in the United States. Patients in Staten Island can find relief.
Sufferers of COPD compare breathing to pinching your nose while sucking air through a straw. A coffee stirrer, to be exact. Imagine going through your daily activities like that. Getting dressed, cooking a meal, or simply bathing becomes daunting. The difficulty of breathing for patients with COPD worsens over time, limiting daily activities.
Causes and Risks Factors
People who smoke or are exposed to smoking as well as those with extended exposure to dust, air pollution and certain chemicals are more likely to develop COPD. Furthermore, those with asthma and the gene alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT) are more at risk of contracting the disease. Because COPD is a result of lengthy exposure, sufferers of the disease tend to be over 40.
Symptoms
- Persistent cough
- Wet cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Tightness in shot
- Frequent colds/flu
- Blue fingernails
- Low Energy
- Unintended weight loss (late stage)
- Swollen ankles, feet, legs
Complications
Unfortunately, COPD can cause other serious conditions such as respiratory infections, heart problems, lung cancer, and high blood pressure. Furthermore, chronic illness is a chief cause of depression as well.
Treatments
There are many medical interventions for the COPD patient.
- Bronchodilators
- Corticosteroids
- Combination inhalers
- Antibiotics
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Oxygen therapy
And surgeries such as
- Bullectomy
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Lung transplant
Benefits of Home Healthcare for COPD Patients
As reported by the National Alliance for Caregiving, approximately 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult aged 50 or older in the past 12 months. While most caregivers in the United States are family members, you can have relief help as well. Home health aides provide quality, personalized home care to the elderly and disabled. Having an aide to monitor and evaluate respiratory symptoms is one of the major benefits of home health care.
Aides are also available to remind patients to take medications, assist with physical and occupational routines, and provide companionship. Since dust and allergens are harmful to patients with COPD, aides can provide homemaking care by dusting, changing linens, and doing laundry. Registered nurses are also on call 24 hours a day to guide the home health aides and answer questions. This allows the family and patient to spend quality time together instead.
The home health aides at David York Home Healthcare Agency can help lighten the load of the ‘sandwich generation’ – from family members who probably work full-time while also caring for a loved one – young and old.
The professionals at David York Home Healthcare Agency communicate with doctors and families to develop individualized care for every patient. For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at 718.376.7755. A free phone consultation can help you determine what services might be best for you and your loved ones.
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