Many signs of COPD are caused by the body's attempt to compensate for a damaged respiratory system. Many signs of COPD are productive cough, barrel chest and pursed-lip breathing. Barrel chest is known as the change of the shape of the lungs. These changes cause shortness of breath.
A person with COPD often sits leaning forward with their arms supported on a surface. This stabilizes the upper chest and shoulders and allows them to use respiratory muscles more efficiently. Due to the limited airflow to the lungs, exhaling takes much longer. Forced exhalation increases pressure on the lungs but to prevent airways from closing pursed-lip breathing is used. A productive cough is caused by the amounts of mucus in the airways.
Shortness of the breath is one of the symptoms of COPD. This usually begins when the patients are in the 60s or 70s. Wheezing is also another symptom of COPD. This is a high pitched sound of air passing through narrow airways. Sometimes the wheezing is heard only at night. Patients with COPD burn a lot of calories by just breathing. When the patient eats they also become very short of breath are unable to eat enough to replace the calories they use up.
It is imperative for a patient with COPD to carry a pulse oximeter with them at all times. This medical device is extremely useful and not only measures the heart rate of the patient but also the blood oxygen saturation level. With the new chip technology the pulse oximeter is small, portable and very easy to use for patients with COPD. Anywhere you go, you can easily monitor your condition. Today's pulse oximeter is made to be very affordable and accurate.
The PC-60C2 finger pulse oximeter is FDA approved and made to fit into your finger comfortable and is painless. The device is used in all medical facilities and in a patient's home. It is safe, portable and cost effective.