Lung Disease Patients And The Care Giving They Need

Many varieties of lung disease patients are grouped together under a single umbrella called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is characterized by having breathing difficulties and coughing although it may have many causes such as continual exposure to dust, chemicals or silica. At this time however, research shows the most common cause is smoking. As the fifth leading cause of death in 2002, COPD is on track to be the third leading cause of death by 2020. This means families will have to cope with caring for elderly parents who suffer from COPD.

While a patient may be diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease it can be caused by emphysema, asbestosis, silicosis or damage to the lungs from chemical exposure. The end result is the same. COPD symptoms are usually the same, characterized by "productive" morning coughing, being short of breath and consistently reoccurring coughing. Although another cause for these symptoms may be congestive heart failure, the only way to know for sure is to have the patient diagnosed professionally by a doctor so the correct treatments can begin.

Because COPD is an incurable condition, even with good treatment, managing the symptoms and helping the lung disease patient have as much quality as they can is the goal. Although the patient taking their medications correctly is important, being aware of and accepting their limitations is important as well. That is because many things that people who can breathe normally take for granted simply is not possible for those who suffer COPD. Walking a flight of stairs or even walking from one end of the house to the other can exhaust someone with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease because their body is not processing enough oxygen.

While lung disease patients will definitely require medication, they may need oxygen also. Precautions have to be taken because of this such as no open flames like candles or lighters, but ensuring they have enough extra oxygen bottles on hand so they'll have oxygen on hand when it's needed. Realizing they can't do many of the arduous tasks they used to and realizing that because of the COPD they are going to be more sedentary gives you the ability to not only help them manage their disease but to "pick up the slack" so they can maintain a reasonable quality of life.

Regardless of how the person developed the disease, the care they receive after can make a world of difference in their daily life. Even though that care can be challenging, with changes, the patient can still live a reasonably normal life.

by: Patty Morris

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