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2022 is half-way over! As we head into wildfire season. It is expected for many fires to spark around the country. There is no doubt that the wildfire’s smoke will be an issue for many.

While June through August is known as “wildfire season” in the U.S., 2022 has proven to be particularly dangerous. 

Unfortunately, the threat of large uncontained wildfires extends beyond property damage. These fires leave behind an enormous amount of smoke that can lead to air pollution all across the country. If you suffer from a respiratory illness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis, this smoke could seriously disrupt your way of life.

In this post, we’re going to take a look at some actionable tips for dealing with outdoor air pollution as a respiratory patient, especially as it pertains to the wildfires that are affecting much of the country. If you’re planning on making changes to your respiratory treatment plan, be sure to consult with your doctor first.

How to Recognize Poor Outdoor Air Quality

Many people don’t pay any mind to the quality of air they breathe on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s indoor air or outdoor air, people simply expect the air to be clean and healthy. However, even if you don’t experience any immediate symptoms, this does not mean that there are no symptoms at all.

Like we’ve discussed in previous posts, indoor air pollution is a major culprit of poor air quality. Despite feeling more secure in your own home, contaminants like cleaning products, mold, and dust can damage your lungs and exacerbate chronic pulmonary illnesses like asthma and COPD. As such, it’s important to take time each day to clean your home and keep it safe for you and your family.

While it’s pretty simple to eliminate air pollution in your home, it’s not so easy to do so outdoors. What’s more, how can you even recognize that there’s poor air quality in the first place? 

Air quality is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI) which runs between 0 (great air quality) and 500 (very poor air quality). Below is a chart showing exactly how this AQI works.

While 51-100 AQI is considered “moderate,” you can assume that this air is not safe to breathe if you have a chronic respiratory ailment. It’s also important to take into consideration the level of activity you will be doing outdoors. Higher levels of activity such as walking, biking, or running will cause you to breathe more heavily and thus result in air pollution entering lower parts of your respiratory system. This means you’ll be more likely to experience exacerbations that could lead to hospitalization.

One of the best ways to check AQI in your area is through AirNow.gov. This organization receives data from a variety of sources in order to help people all across the country plan healthier lives. Simply click on the link above and you will be asked to enter the name of the location you want to check. You’ll be provided with the current AQI in your area as well as the AQI forecast for future dates. You should make it a habit to check this daily and plan your activities accordingly.

What Types of Pollutants are there?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are six major types of air pollution. These include particulate matter (particle pollution), lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ground-level ozone. Let’s take a look at each one of these so that you understand what they are and how they affect your lungs.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate matter is the sum of all liquid and solid particles that are suspended in the air. This includes both organic and inorganic particles like pollen, smoke, dust, and soot. When you check the air quality in your area, particulate matter will be labeled as either “PM10” or “PM2.5.” The former indicates particulate matter that has a diameter of 10 micrometers or less and the latter indicates particles that have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. To put this into perspective, the average human hair is 70 micrometers in diameter, so a PM2.5 particle is about 30 times smaller than this.

PM has a variety of different sources and can be composed of hundreds of different chemicals. PM that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter tends to be the most dangerous because it’s small enough to bypass the body’s innate immune system, reaching the lower parts of the lungs and even the bloodstream. Wildfires contain PM of all sizes so it’s imperative that you avoid it in order to keep your lungs safe.

Ozone (O3)

Ground-level ozone is a gas that’s found just above the surface of the earth. This type of pollution is created when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) — two primary pollutants — react in stagnant air and sunlight. Ozone is known not only for being a major health hazard to humans, but to animals, the environment, and even property. According to the British Lung Foundation, high levels of ozone are associated with more frequent hospitalization due to asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Sulfur dioxide typically enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels by industrial facilities and power plants. Other sources of this gas are locomotives, heavy equipment, ships, vehicles that burn fuel that’s high in sulfur. SO2 is harmful to everyone, but it’s especially bad for people with chronic respiratory illnesses. It can irritate the respiratory tract and can greatly increase your risk of experiencing tract infections.

Lead

Despite being significantly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the 1980s, lead is still a common type of air pollution. You’re most likely to be exposed to lead when you’re next to metal processing plants, lead-acid battery manufacturers, or piston-engine aircraft that run on leaded aviation fuel. While lead can damage the lungs, it can also enter the bloodstream leading to poor immune or nervous system function, kidney damage, or cardiovascular damage.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) such as nitrogen dioxide, nitrous acid, and nitric acid are known for being highly reactive. This means that they are much more chemically active than other gases which often leads tot hem being more dangerous. Not only is NO2 harmful when inhaled, leading to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, but it can also react with other chemicals in the air to form ozone and particulate matter. NO2 usually enters the atmosphere due to the burning of fuel.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of the combustion process. In other words, anything that burns fuel such as a car, machinery, gas heaters, and gas stoves release CO when they are used. CO is harmful to breathe because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives organs like the brain and heart of oxygen. Inhaling a large amount of CO can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, asphyxia, and death.

How to Stay Safe and Avoid COPD Exacerbations

While we can get involved in our communities to help improve air quality, very little can be done to prevent natural disasters like wildfires. It’s normal for there to be thousands of wildfires each year in the United States and it’s difficult to predict exactly where they will be or how bad they will get. As a result, COPD and asthma patients need to pay attention to the news and plan their lives around these devastating events.

Make it a Habit to Check the AQI Daily

Like we mentioned earlier, Air Quality Index (AQI) is the measurement used to determine how safe the air is to breathe. AirNow.gov updates its site regularly so you should make a habit of checking it at least once a day. Another great feature of this site is that it breaks down what pollutants are in the air. For example, it will notify you if there are more PM2.5 than PM10 in the air, indicating that the air is less safe to breathe.

One thing to note about AQI forecasts is that they are not 100% accurate. Similar to weather forecasts, there is room for error and the information is updated as more information becomes available. As a result, it’s important to also use your best judgment. If the report shows 50 AQI in your area but it looks hazy out, it’s best not to go out until it clears up. Another mistake people make is that they assume that rain will clear the pollution. While heavy rain can reduce pollution slightly, it’s nearly inconsequential when it comes to PM2.5  which is most harmful to your lungs.

Recognize the Signs of an Exacerbation

Secondly, you need to be aware of COPD exacerbation symptoms. An exacerbation is a period of time where coughing, wheezing, and chest pain get worse and it becomes increasingly difficult to breathe normally. The majority of COPD exacerbations are caused by respiratory infection, but the second most common cause of exacerbations is air pollution. If left untreated, exacerbations can lead to hospitalization and even permanent lung damage.

Generally speaking, you will want to seek medical attention for your COPD exacerbations. Even if you just experience a flare-up in your symptoms, your doctor should be notified so that he/she can take the necessary steps to help you recover quickly and effectively.

Take Your Oxygen Concentrator and Inhaler

As always, it’s important to have all your medications and medical devices with you whenever you leave the house. No matter what the air quality is like, your portable oxygen concentrator and inhaler will ensure that your blood oxygen levels remain stable throughout the day. What’s more, if you experience an exacerbation while you’re out, your portable oxygen concentrator or rescue inhaler will help you to recover more quickly.

 According to a study published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, there is clear evidence that using supplemental oxygen as prescribed by your doctor can strongly influence the outcomes of acute exacerbations. While more studies need to be done in order to determine exactly how it should be used, simply having a reliable portable oxygen concentrator on you at all times is a great first step. 

There are many portable oxygen concentrators for sale in this day and age, but we recommend either the Caire FreeStyle Comfort the ARYA Portable Oxygen Concentrator or the Inogen One G5. The FreeStyle Comfort released last year and provides COPD patients with up to 5 pulse flow settings and the G5 provides up to 6 pulse flow settings. If that’s not enough, you’ll be happy to know that both of these portable oxygen devices weigh under 5 pounds meaning they’re light enough to carry wherever you go without causing any strain on your back or shoulders.

Avoid Exercising Outdoors

Exercise is an important part of your COPD treatment plan. Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to strengthen your muscles, increase your endurance, and help you breathe easier. But it’s imperative that you exercise safely and that you follow the guidelines set forth by your doctor or pulmonologist. Over-exercising or exercising outside when there is pollution can lead to flare-ups or exacerbations.

When you exercise, you breathe more heavily meaning air pollution is more likely to reach the lower parts of your lungs. You’re also taking in more air and more pollution as a result. While it is nice to exercise outdoors, you’re not going to have a good time if you’re breathing in polluted, stuffy air. If possible, try to get inside and clear a space in your living room or bedroom to perform pulmonary rehabilitation.

Don’t Track Harmful Pollutants Indoors

Whether you’re exercising indoors or you’re simply spending more time indoors due to poor outdoor air quality, it’s important to avoid tracking outdoor pollutants inside your home. The problem with indoor air quality is that it’s more concentrated and pollutants can be moved around your home through the HVAC system. So even if you think that your home is safe, it could be affected by the quality of air outdoors.

There are several different ways that you can test the air quality in your home. You can either purchase your own air quality monitor or you can call a home inspection company that will come to your house and do it for you. The latter tends to be a better option because then you don’t have to learn how to interpret the data and find a way to improve your home’s air quality.

Quit Smoking Immediately

The last tip for coping with outdoor air pollution when you have COPD is to quit smoking. Not only is smoking the primary causal factor of COPD and other lung conditions like lung cancer, but it also has a number of other effects on the body that make you more susceptible to the risks associated with air pollution. For example, cigarette smoking damages, and in some cases destroys the cilia in your lungs and airways. 

Cilia are small, hairlike organelles that are responsible for trapping and removing foreign substances from the airways. By doing so, they prevent these harmful substances from reaching the lower respiratory system where they can lead to infections. Studies also show that the chemicals in cigarette smoke can also suppress the adaptive immune system by making it less active and prepared to fight off disease. 

Conclusion

Unfortunately, wildfires are a reality that we all need to face. Depending on where you live in the country, you may have to deal with wildfire smoke as early as June and as late as August. As such, it’s best to be prepared with an effective action plan.

If you have COPD or asthma, you should not be going outside when the AQI is above 100 and if you want to exercise outdoors, you should wait until the AQI in your area is below 50. This will help ensure that your lung condition remains stable and that you don’t experience any flare-ups or worse, an exacerbation.

As with all concerns related to your COPD treatment plan, you should contact your doctor or pulmonologist if you have any questions. 

Getting diagnosed with COPD and watching your body change can be a disheartening thing to go through. This, along with the symptoms of COPD, make depression a reality for a large number of COPD patients.

It's not too difficult to see why; COPD can lead to weight loss, fatigue, sleep disorders, poor nutrition, and a variety of other uncomfortable symptoms. These ailments can be distressing on their own, leading to health anxiety, a negative outlook, and a feeling of loss of control over one's life.

According to some studies, up to forty percent of COPD patients suffer from depression. What's worse, many cases go untreated, which makes patients more likely to suffer a quicker physical decline and death.

But, while COPD can be difficult to cope with, there are plenty of options for support and treatment that can help you take back control over your life. Even though depression can make obstacles seem too difficult to face, the truth is that you can find the power within yourself to overcome them.

It is important to remember that it's more than possible to live a happy and fulfilling life despite the hardships that come along with COPD. If you can shake yourself free of anxiety and depression, you'll find that you have the ability cope in healthy ways and confidently meet any challenges that come your way.

It's hard to see the light when you are in the midst of depression and everything seems hopeless and bleak. That's why it's so important to recognize the signs of depression and seek treatment, and in this article we're going to show you how.

In the next sections, we'll show you how to identify depression and explain how it affects people with COPD. Then, we'll show you how to utilize available mental health resources and how to use a variety of practical techniques to help yourself out of depression.

What is Depression?

The term “depression” is often used loosely in casual conversation, but in reality, it is a serious medical illness. It is much more than just feeling a little down for a few days; it's a deep state of sadness and helplessness that affects many aspects of sufferers' lives.

Depression is often marked by hopelessness, lack of motivation, and lack of interest in activities that you used to enjoy. Depression often interferes with your ability to function and participate in activities at work, home, and with friends.

People who are depressed are also more at risk for a variety of other health problems, including obesity, substance abuse, and premature death. In general, people who are depressed have difficulty maintaining healthy habits and lead a significantly reduced quality of life.

Depression should always be taken very seriously and should never be ignored. If you or someone you know is showing the warning signs of depression, you should encourage them to seek help as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Depression

The main characteristics that separate clinical depression from normal sadness or negative moods is its severity and its duration. Everyone has a bad day or bad week every once and awhile, but people who suffer from depression often experience weeks or months of despair along with a variety of noticeable physical symptoms.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of depression:

• Sadness
• Emptiness
• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Helplessness
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Feelings of guilt
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite or increase in appetite
• Fatigue
• Lack of interest in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy
• Thoughts of death or suicide

How Depression Affects People with COPD

If left untreated, depression in people with COPD can significantly increase their risk for physical decline. It can increase patients' risk of exacerbations, loss of physical mobility, malnutrition, and even death.

There are many reasons for these risks, most of which have to do with changes in behavior and motivation that happen to COPD patients who are depressed. For example, depression can affect both your appetite and your sleep quality, leading to malnutrition and sleep deprivation. This, in turn, weakens your body, makes COPD symptoms worse, and depresses your immune system, making you more prone to exacerbations and hospitalizations.

Studies also show that people with COPD who are depressed are more likely to be hospitalized, less likely to adhere to COPD treatments, and have a much higher risk of death. They are also more likely to smoke and suffer from an overall decreased quality of life.

One of the most damaging effects of depression is how it can take away your motivation to do things that make you healthy and happy. Many people who are depressed stop exercising, eating, and socializing, which are important to living a healthy life with COPD.

There is hardly anything more essential for keeping yourself healthy with COPD than following your treatment plan, eating a healthy diet, and, especially, getting plenty of exercise. However, depression can take away your motivation to do all of these things, causing you to skip meals, workouts, and medication doses. This is a large part of the reason why many depressed COPD patients suffer a more rapid physical decline.

Another reason is the fact that being depressed can make it much more tempting to reach for unhealthy coping mechanisms like cigarettes and other drugs. Since smoking is one of the most damaging things you can do to your body when you have COPD, depression can be even more damaging to patients who are former smokers or who are currently trying to quit.

For all of these reasons, it's vitally important for COPD patients who suffer from depression to seek support and treatment as early as possible. It's certainly not something you should ever take lightly or ignore, as it could have huge and irreversible effects on your health.

Everyday Techniques for Reducing Depression for People with COPD

Everyday activities like diet and exercise can have a huge impact on how you feel. Building healthy habits in these areas is an important first step to breaking free from depression and getting yourself back on track to living a healthy, fulfilling life.

Exercise More

When you are feeling depressed, exercising and being active might sound like the last thing in the world that you want to do. However, getting out of bed every day and doing some physical activity can actually improve your depression, not to mention that it's absolutely necessary to prevent early death from COPD.

It can be difficult and disheartening to exercise when you're experiencing COPD symptoms like breathlessness and wheezing, which on its own can contribute to depression and exercise avoidance. However, skipping exercise will only make that same problem worse, making your body weaker and your lungs decline quicker.

On the other hand, forcing yourself to get out, move your body, and increase your fitness can do wonders for both your body and mind. It not only stimulates your brain and promotes a more positive mood, but it can also increase your physical strength and mobility, allowing you to breathe better, do more, and have more energy.

Here are some of the benefits of exercise for people with COPD:

• More efficient use of oxygen
• Stronger breathing muscles and using less energy to breathe
• Reduced shortness of breath
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Improved self-esteem and self-image
• Increased physical endurance
• Increased energy levels and reduced fatigue
• Improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia
• Increased cardiovascular health and fitness
• Improved muscle strength

It's not hard to see how getting regular exercise can help with depression caused by COPD. As you see your physical strength and condition improve, you are bound to feel more confident and more optimistic about your future.

Committing to exercising even when you feel down will also allow you to stave off some of the most devastating effects of depression for people with COPD—loss of physical strength and quicker lung function decline. It can also put you in a much better place both physically and mentally to cope with and manage your disease.

That's why it's so important to exercise according to your COPD treatment plan, even when it's hard and you don't feel like it. As soon as you start to neglect your exercise plan, you can quickly fall into a negative downward spiral, where it becomes more and more difficult to exercise.

If you find exercise difficult or don't know where to start, talk to your doctor about joining a pulmonary rehabilitation program. There are also many resources online, such as the Cleveland Clinic, that offer advice and ideas for specific exercises for people with COPD.

Here are some general tips and resources to help you exercise with COPD:

• Start small and work your way up. Start by walking short distances or doing low-impact strength exercises, and increase the distance you walk and the number of repetitions you do by just a little bit every week. The improvements you make will motivate you to keep going and help you work up to more activity over time.
  
  
• If you have limited strength or physical mobility, try starting out with some chair exercises. These allow you to work out different parts of your body while sitting in a chair, which helps with balance and reduces the amount of strength you have to expend while still toning your muscles. Check out this comprehensive guide for a huge list of chair exercises with accompanying illustrations and instructions for how to perform them.
  
  
• Stretching exercises are easy to do and can improve your strength, mobility, and range of motion. You should always stretch before you workout, but you can also try stretching in the mornings and evenings to get some extra activity and keep yourself limber throughout the day. Check out this guide from Lung Foundation Australia that includes instructions for how to do a variety of different stretches.
  
  
• Use breathing exercises, such as pursed-lips breathing and diaphragmic breathing to help with breathlessness and wheezing when you work out. You should also keep your bronchodilator, supplemental oxygen, and any emergency medications with you in case you need them. Check out this guide from the Cleveland Clinic on how to manage your breathing while you exercise.
  
  
• Try joining a fitness class or trying an exercise like yoga or Tai Chi. Having instruction (at a gym or from an exercise tape) can help you get started more easily and keep you motivated to continue. Yoga and Tai Chi are especially good exercises for people with COPD because they incorporate breathing control and meditation in their routines.

Eat Well

When you are depressed, you might not feel like eating as much as you should. It can also make you feel sluggish and unmotivated, making you more likely to reach for convenient, unhealthy options, like fast food, instead of making nutritious meals at home.

But when you have COPD, proper nutrition is vital for keeping your body and lungs healthy. Lungs affected by COPD use up more energy when you breathe, meaning that many patients actually need extra calories to keep their lungs working efficiently.

Eating well is also important for improving depression, as the foods you eat can have a huge impact on both your body and your mind. If you eat unhealthy foods or let yourself become malnourished, you will feel even more tired, fatigued, and depressed.

A variety of nutritional deficiencies and imbalances can contribute to depression, including deficiencies in fats, amino acids, Vitamin D, and blood sugar imbalances. However, proper nutrition can help restore balance to your body and mind, giving your brain the vitamins and nutrients it needs to keep you happy and healthy.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of COPD often make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight and get enough nutrition. However, having a healthy BMI is important for managing the disease; obese COPD patients face a wide variety of health risks, while underweight patients are also more likely to experience more rapid physical decline and other health complications.

Some COPD patients find it difficult to get enough to eat because of COPD symptoms like breathlessness, which often are worse on a full stomach. If you are also depressed, you may experience a reduced appetite, reduced motivation, and reduced enjoyment from the taste of food, which makes it even more difficult to get enough calories and nutrients every day.

If you have COPD, you should think of every meal as an opportunity to strengthen your body and support the health and function of your lungs. Even though it can be difficult and time consuming, it's important to eat whole, home-cooked foods as much as possible so you have maximum control over what nutrients you put in your body.

Even though it might be difficult and require some adjustments to your schedule, you can find ways to eat healthy with minimal effort and discomfort. Here are a variety of tips and techniques for eating well to improve your depression and your COPD:

• Increasing your intake of certain foods has been shown to help fight depression. These include foods containing Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, selenium, and B vitamins.
  
  
• Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, and fried foods, which can contribute to depression. Instead, increase your intake of water, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and whole fruits and vegetables. Here is a guide from Healthline to help you choose healthy, nutrient-rich foods for your kitchen.
  
  
• To avoid feeling uncomfortable and breathless when you eat, have several smaller meals throughout the day instead of large ones. This will help you eat enough calories without ever feeling too full.
  
  
• Prepare meals and freeze them ahead of time to eat on days when you feel especially depressed or fatigued. That way, even when you don't have the energy or motivation to cook, you can eat a nutritious, home-cooked meal with hardly any effort at all.

Get Out, Socialize, and Have Fun

Being depressed tends to cause people to isolate themselves and give up on the hobbies and activities that used to make them happy. This is partially due to a lack of energy and motivation, and partially due to a feeling of helplessness and a perceived inability to enjoy things that used to be fun.

However, even when things seem bleak, it's important not to neglect the people, hobbies, and productive activities that used to make you happy. Even if it doesn't feel satisfying right away, being social and active can improve your depression and will likely feel more satisfying with time.

Depression has an uncanny ability to make you avoid the very things that you need the most in order to break free from depression. Just remember that, even though things may seem hopeless right now, you will be much worse off if you give up and drop out of life's activities.

When you feel like staying indoors and avoiding the world, try calling up a friend or family member instead. Often, simply talking to someone else can help to pull you out of the fog and give you a more positive perspective on life.

It's okay to take days off and focus on self-care, but it's important not to let yourself stay in bed all the time and avoid the people who care about you. If you make an effort to get out of the house and spend time with family and friends, you will find it much easier to cope with depression and COPD.

And remember, it's okay to talk to your friends and family about your depression and let them know that you need support. Most people who care about you will understand and be willing to support you when you really need them.

Having a support group of family and friends and activities will give you something to get out of bed for and live for everyday. So don't let yourself become isolated from the people and things that matter in life; once you break out of your bubble, you might just start to notice all the many things that make life worth living.

It is true that when people are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or any other chronic respiratory illness their lives change forever. 

Even though you might feel physically the exact same way leaving the doctor's office that day as you did when you walked in, your mentality is noticeably different. After you are diagnosed with COPD or once you have reached a point in your diagnosis where you need to be out on oxygen you are given another chance. 

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It is not a death sentence, and it should not be treated as one. You can look at this moment as a second chance. 

Now you know why you are coughing excessively, feeling tired, short of breath, moody and all of the things you were experiencing are due to something in your body that isn’t exactly right. And while that thing that isn’t exactly right is not curable, you can treat it and make it more manageable day to day.  

There are levels of severity of COPD that are broken down based on your lungs capacity and their ability to do their job! At a certain point in your diagnosis, there may come a time where you need extra help getting oxygen pumping through your body. 

You will go through a series of tests that will display to you doctor whether or not you need supplemental oxygen therapy. As with any prescription drug, you will be prescribed medical oxygen, and within your prescription will be instructions on how much oxygen you need and when.

Supplemental oxygen therapy is designed to help you improve your lifestyle and quality of life. And similarly to prescription medication, too much is too much and too little isn’t enough, so be sure you follow your doctor's instructions when it comes to oxygen therapy. 

This also means it's essential to have an oxygen therapy device that can handle your oxygen needs. You can either go with an oxygen tank or a portable oxygen concentrator (POC).

Both devices will give you oxygen, but one device is an older more traditional source of oxygen (tanks) while the other (POCs) is a newer more advanced device that has a number of qualities that make everyday life easier. 

To learn more about you oxygen therapy options read this blog: Upgrading From an Oxygen Tank to the Respironics SimplyGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator

So let's get down to it… Once you get that oxygen therapy prescription, your oxygen therapy gives you another chance to treat your disease so it is more manageable and you symptoms are less intrusive. 

Oxygen therapy is also the one treatment that has actually been proven to add years to your life, and not only time, but quality time where you can eat right, exercise, and sleep well (if you put in the work).

This is not to say that there will be hard days, COPD and respiratory illness across the board are no joke, and they affect millions of people across the world. 

How Oxygen Therapy Can Save your Life 

When you get on oxygen you will be sourcing your lungs with extra medical grade pure oxygen so that oxygen can move fluidly throughout your blood and muscles. 

With the help of you oxygen therapy you will have an easier time getting to sleep and staying asleep. Exercise will come more easily because you won't fee las tired or short of breath. Oxygen therapy is giving you the tools to live an active and healthy life, so it is not not only extending your life but improving the quality of life you have. 

Here are the 7 portable oxygen concentrators, and their most attractive features, that will help you live a long and healthy life. 

Inogen One G4 

The Inogen One G4 is a pulse flow device, it only weighs 2.8 pounds, that's no more than a basic laptop computer. 

Caire Freestyle Comfort

The Caire Freestyle Comfort is also a pulse flow device, it has a long lasting battery life. With the double battery installed it can last for up to 8 hours on a setting of 2 LMP. 

Inogen One G5

The Inogen One G5 is the most popular pulse flow device on the market because it is so powerful. It can operate on any setting 1-6 LPM without sacrificing battery life.

Respironics SimplyGo

The Respironics SimplyGo is the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator. It weighs 10 pounds and can give off pulse or continuous oxygen depending on the setting you set it to.  

Oxlife Freedom

The Oxlife Freedom is a pulse flow device that is the first of its kind. It is equipped with tools to help oxygen patients and their healthcare providers better manage their respiratory conditions! The built in DNA or Dynamic Network Analysis is cutting edge technology that allows your healthcare provider to more closely monitor your oxygen use.

 Oxlife Independence

The Oxlife Independence portable oxygen concentrator is a continuous and pulse flow device is also the first of its kind. It is the world’s first “smart” portable oxygen concentrator. It is equipped with the same DNA technology inside the Oxlife Freedom which is powered by the Verizon network. The Oxlife Independence can monitor your usage and corresponding environmental conditions to adapt and proactively support your needs. It tracks vital data like hours used, breathing rate, ambulation, and more!

SeQual Eclipse 5 

The SeQual Eclipse 5 is both a continuous and pulse flow device. It is known for offering the highest oxygen output on the market, gets good battery life, and it was also designed for the US Military.. It is one of the most popular continuous flow portable oxygen concentrators on the market because of its long-standing track record for being durable and reliable. If it’s good enough for the US Military, that should tell you something.

Staying On Track to Live A Healthy Life on Oxygen 

If any of these portable oxygen concentrators are calling your name, simply call 1(800)-946-1201 to speak with an oxygen specialist about their other features and how it can fit into your life! 

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Once you have an oxygen device that you trust you can start adjusting your lifestyle to a more positive and active one that cultivates more energy and happiness. We would like to leave you with some positive suggestions for everyday life that will make the challenges you face dealing with respiratory disease more manageable.

Keep a Journal 

Keeping track of your oxygen levels, symptoms, triggers, and health related issues are valuable for you and your doctor. This can give your doctor an inside look at your life at home, and how your symptoms evolve and change so they can advise a course of action and treatment plan that works for you.

It is also valuable to jot down your emotions, to do lists, write down goals, and stories. Writing ignites a creative part of your brain, that like your muscles need exercise. 

Even if you haven't written anything down for years, it is never too late to pick up a pen and paper and write down your struggles, achievements and everything in between. 

You will be surprised how helpful it is to make decisions when you create a pros and cons list, or how writing down something that happened to you that day can enhance your memory. 

Exercise in the Water 

We hear all the time that oxygen patients also require exercise as treatment. But for many, exercise can cause a lot of other issues throughout the body. 

People with COPD may have muscle or bone conditions that make exercise painful and high impact workouts can be impossible. Water exercises give you the alternative for a less stress induced workout on the body. 

A 2013 study found that water-based exercises might increase a person’s exercise capacity and quality of life. In people with COPD and physical disabilities, water-based exercises were more effective than both land-based exercise and no exercise.

The researchers suggested that these effects might be due to the unique properties of water, which support body weight through buoyancy and provide resistance to increase exercise intensity

Breathing with Purpose to Avoid Excess Anxiety

Avoiding stress and anxiety are two big ones when it comes to easing COPD symptoms. Breathing can be directly related to relaxation or lack there of. 

Anxiety will come up for the patient and caretakers for everyone with chronic illness. The very real stressors that come with chronic illness include medical emergencies, financial worries, everyday care issues.

So these stressors are unavoidable, and the emotional distress can trigger a physical reaction that may lead to you being hospitalized for exacerbated symptoms, known as a COPD flare up. 

Naturally when humans feel afraid or upset, the heart rate, and blood pressure increase, this causes the breathing to speed up. Anxiety and fast breathing means more shortness of breath. For people with respiratory disease who already suffer from shortness of breath, this can generate even more anxiety, which causes further shortness of breath…It’s a toxic cycle.

So how can you and your caretaker help each other learn to relax in these moments? Try following three basic relaxation techniques from the Crossroads Hospice online resource center: 

Take 10 minute to do each of the following breathing techniques:

1. Deep breathing. Sit comfortably, feet on the floor. Put one hand on your chest, the other just under your ribs. Breathe slowly through your nose, counting to five. Only the hand at your belly should rise. Exhale slowly, counting to five. Repeat.

1. Muscle relaxation. Lie down or sit comfortably. Starting with your toes, tense and relax your muscles, moving up your body to calves, thighs, etc. Count to five while tensing and to 30 while relaxing. Notice the difference between tense and relaxed.

1. Visualization. In a quiet place, lie down or sit comfortably. Imagine yourself at your favorite place of tranquility (beach, mountains, etc.). Bring in as many elements of the place as you can: what you would be seeing, smelling, hearing, touching.

Managing Fatigue Effectively

It's common for COPD patients and oxygen users to “run out of gas” even when doing simple things around the house.

You can learn to conserve energy—The energy that keeps you awake and moving around—so you are able to enjoy activities and exercise that you love to do for longer.

Try getting into the rhythm of this simple strategy- Understand that you have a limited amount of energy each day. If you’re mindful of how you use that energy by creating a daily routine, for chorus, everyday necessities, any medical treatment, and exercise and life’s pleasures.

Plan out your days with the pace for each activity. Keep these tactics in mind:

• DON’T rush, allow plenty time for what needs to get done.

• Alternate activity with rest.

• Divide large chores into smaller tasks spread across the day or week. 

• Work smarter by minimizing trips up/down stairs, shopping with a list and in as few stores as possible, cook in bulk and freeze the leftovers, after bathing, rest in a terrycloth bathrobe instead of drying with a towel. These little things conserve a lot of energy over time. 

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You can order your medications and groceries to be delivered.Throughout the day, look for opportunities to sit down, and minimize time walking, lifting, and bending (use extensions bending and reaching).

• Sit down while cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, or grooming face and hair, have a stool or seat handy in multiple rooms of your house.

• Stay organized and lay out supplies at waist height so everything is within easy reach before you start cooking, cleaning, bathing, or dressing.

• Use an elevated toilet seat, a grabber for objects, and elongated handles on shoe horns, brushes, and dustpans.

By learning how to operate at a mild pace with lots of helpful tools throughout your house, daily life gets easier and easier, and your tank of energy will get you further and further the more you conserve energy.

Overview

Of course, none of these simple everyday changes listed above will make much of a difference if you are lugging around a heavy oxygen tank, or are stressed and worried about getting your next oxygen delivery. 

First step to getting your second chance at a healthy and active life after being prescribed oxygen, is getting an oxygen device that can help you through life, rather than holds you back. 

Talk to your doctor about your oxygen device options and how your prescription will work day to day, and then call us at LPT Medical at 1(800)-946-1201 so we can help you find a device that fits your needs and lifestyle. 

Cold weather is right around the corner, depending on where you live, this can be a dreadful time of year for many people. Especially for people with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

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Low Temperatures and nasty weather can cause COPD symptoms to get worse, which is why you have to be super careful and prepared for winter. The cold and dry air can ignite a flare-up and even require you to go to the hospital. According to a study, temperature extremes, below freezing, are particularly dangerous.

An influx of cold air into the lungs can trigger a number of negative responses in your lungs, and the cold air will narrow your airways.

When this happen you may experience the following symptoms:

• Dyspnea
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shallow breathing
• Increased mucus production
• Difficulty clearing airways

All of these symptoms are uncomfortable and can cause a COPD exacerbation and may require you to take a trip to the hospital if your symptoms don't improve. 

More snow and frozen sidewalks are just two of the many challenges we face during these winter months. On top of all of this, travel to and from the doctors office is sometimes impossible. Taking care of yourself and taking the necessary precautions during this time is crucial for your health and wellbeing. 

If you are an oxygen patient, meaning you have a pulmonary condition that restricts your ability to breathe the proper amount of oxygen into your body, this blog will be a great resource for you to help combat the cold weather and its effects on your body.

We will give you all of the tips and tricks for not only surviving the winter months, but how to create an environment in your home and mind that is nurturing and comforting!  

1. Getting Enough Exercise 

Exercise is a crucial part of COPD treatment and helps all people with or without respiratory illnesses.

Keeping your lungs strong also helps keep your muscles and bones healthy, so you can live a longer, happier life. In the winter exercise is especially challenging.

Driving in the snow can be so dangerous, even just walking to your car you risk the chance of slipping on ice. Driving to your pulmonary rehab course or to the gym might not be an option for you in the winter months. 

Here are some great alternatives, but check with your doctor before starting an exercise program:

2. Walk    

Just about everyone with COPD can walk, even if you don’t exercise much, walking is a great way to start. The best part is that you can do it anywhere, and it is still beneficial. If you have a treadmill, or space in your living room, simply just walking around your home can contribute greatly to your health. 

If it seems daunting, start with super small objectives and then add 30 seconds or 10 yards each day. This slow and short pace will still be so good for you.

While walking outside, try breathing through your nose instead of your mouth may also be helpful as this will warm the air before it reaches the lungs.

3. Bike

A stationary bike is a great option for people with COPD, especially when it is too cold or snowy outside to ride a bike outdoors. Being in the privacy of your home can also help a lot of people get over the fear of exercising in front of others, which is very common. 

A stationary bike is a safe way for people with COPD to reap the benefits of biking, without venturing too far away from their home. And if you need oxygen therapy, you are able to exercise with your portable oxygen concentrator tanks right next to you without carrying the extra weight with you on the bike. 

4. Weighting lifting 

Lifting light weights can help you maintain strength so you are able to do everyday things, like reach a high shelf or carry a gallon of milk. 

You can order cheap hand weights from amazon, stretchy bands, or just use water bottles or soup cans to try arm curls by following these simple steps:

1. Hold the weights at your sides palms forward
2. Breathe in
3. Lift toward your chest
4. Keep elbows down
5. Exhale slowly
6. Slowly lower your arms back down as you breathe in. 
7. Build up to two sets of 10-15 repetitions.

 any exercise makes you short of breath, stop and sit down for a few minutes.

5. Avoid Oxygen Delivery Delays 

Getting your oxygen delivered as an oxygen patient is something that you always have to worry about. In the winter, be weary of delivery delays and other weather impacts in delivery services! 

Keep an oxygen canister for emergencies on reserve for if your oxygen refill is delayed. 

If you have a portable oxygen concentrator, you will not have to worry about getting your oxygen delivered. Instead you might have to worry about power outages. 

Keep an extra oxygen concentrator battery or a charged battery on deck for bad storms where the power potentially goes out. An external battery charger would also be a helpful tool for these situations!  

6. Meal Prep and Grocery Shopping 

Eating and diet are very important aspects of your COPD treatment. Eating foods that don’t bloat or put more pressure on your lungs is crucial to combat exacerbations and other health related issues. 

In the winter, you can meal prep for the week to avoid multiple grocery store trips, and also to maintain a healthy diet. Here are some helpful tips for winter dishes that will help you maintain a healthy weight throughout the winter: 

Eat protein-rich foods

Eat high-protein, high quality foods, such as 

• grass-fed meat
• pastured poultry & eggs
• fish — particularly oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines.

Complex carbohydrates

complex carbohydrates are your friend because these foods are also high in fiber. FIber helps improve the function of the digestive system and blood sugar management.

Make a chili or soup with some of the following ingredients:

• peas
• bran
• potatoes with skin
• lentils
• quinoa
• beans
• barley
• fresh produce

You can also do fresh fruits for breakfast but some are more suitable than others, here is a list of some good ones:

• Avocados
• Tomatoes 
• Bananas
• Oranges  

Vegetables are always a good option, they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients will help to keep your body healthy, again some vegetables are better than others for people with lung conditions: 

• Dark leafy greens
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Potatoes

A healthy diet won’t cure COPD, but eating right will help your body fight off infections, including chest infections that may lead to hospitalization. Avoiding the hospital in the winter and at all times of the year is always the goal. Eating healthfully will help you reach this goal and it will give you energy to exercise and improve your mood too.

7. Get a Face Mask For Keeping Cold Air Out of Your Lungs 

Breathing in the cold air can irritate your lungs, restrict your airways, causing increased symptoms and in some cases exacerbations. 

By covering your nose and mouth with a scarf and breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth you will warm the air before it reaches your airways. 

A CT Mask is specifically designed for people living with COPD or asthma to help with breathing in cold air while outdoors.

8. Staying Warm Inside Safely 

Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is important, but if you have COPD or asthma, don’t use fireplaces. The wood can cause smoke build-up which can also aggravate your respiratory symptoms.

While you are indoors, the air humidity should be around 40%. If you live in a particularly dry area, you can reach this humidity with a humidifier.

9. Avoid Infections  

To reduce your chances of visiting the hospital this winter, avoid infections. You can do this by washing your hands often and thoroughly. And to make sure you stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations, especially for the flu and pneumonia.

The Cleveland Clinic also recommends that you:

• stay hydrated
• practice good hygiene
• keep your home sanitized
• avoid crowded places and people who are sick to reduce your risk of getting an infection
• If you do get a cold or the flu, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible.

There are also outbreaks of flu in periods of cold weather, so protect yourself against infections and take advantage of the free flu vaccine you are entitled to!

Overview 

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By following these steps, you will have a better chance of staying healthy over the cold winter months.

These tips and tricks can take some getting used to but once you are able to nail down a winter routine and execute your COPD treatment effectively in the winter and only takes a little bit of patience after that for spring to roll around again!

If you are shopping for a portable oxygen concentrator, us here at LPT Medical are here to help! We have an inventory of pulse flow and continuous flow devices, all of which are top on the line and reliable devices that will get you through any season!

We also have oxygen accessories that we sell separately so if you need an extra battery, external battery chargers, tubing we got you covered!

Just call us anytime at 1(800)-946-1201 

If you don't already know how beneficial oxygen therapy is for people with COPD and other respiratory chronic conditions this blog post will explain all of the reasons this therapy can make such a big difference their lives. 

We understand that it may seem like oxygen therapy is an invasive aspect of your daily routine, however supplemental oxygen offers the user freedom, energy, and livelihood, it also adds years to your life!

That being said, it is important to discuss the side effects of oxygen therapy and how we can work with you to make it more comfortable.

If you are looking at your oxygen device every morning and dreading using it, you are not taking advantage of what this therapy has to offer you.

If done correctly, you could start to see your oxygen device as a ticket to anywhere in the world, as independence from caretakers and hospitals, your breathing device should give you life and excitement for the future.

In order to address all of the positive aspects of oxygen therapy it is essential that we discuss the drawbacks and how you can overcome the negative aspects. Simply put, there are obstacles that you may need to overcome while getting used to your breathing device.

There are some aspects of your day that will become the “new normal”. Lastly, there are certain discomforts and side effects associated with oxygen therapy. That is why we are going to discuss ways to normalize your oxygen therapy and help you adjust to daily life.

How to overcome oxygen therapy obstacles

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One of the first and biggest obstacles you may face after being prescribed home oxygen, is education, this means learning about your illness and how oxygen will affect you.

It is critical you are willing to handle new and sometimes confusing pieces of machinery along with the medical jargon and language about your condition.

We have a great blog titled “COPD Education is Key: 15 Questions you Need to ask your Doctor” that can help you understand some of the questions about your breathing capabilities and what this means when you are looking to buy an oxygen device.

This is a great place to start if you want to understand more about COPD testing, symptoms, and treatments.

After you are capable of communicating with your doctor effectively, you can begin to understand their reasoning as to why you qualify for oxygen therapy, and how you can get the most out of this COPD treatment method.

The next obstacle you must overcome is choosing the oxygen therapy device that is best for you and your lifestyle. This is complicated because everyone is different and everyone’s COPD affects them differently.

Therefore, it is important you talk to a respiratory specialist who can ask you questions about your lifestyle and your oxygen prescription in order to match the perfect oxygen device to your specific needs and wants.

A specialist works with a number of people everyday, they know oxygen devices inside and out, so once they have an understanding about you and your oxygen prescriptions they will be able to match you with a device that will help you get back to your daily routine!

Our respiratory specialists will connect you with a portable oxygen concentrator because a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is going to be the most cost-effective way to administer oxygen to manage your COPD. If you purchase your POC there are no recurring costs, you will never have to worry about refilling your oxygen tanks, and they are simple and user friendly!

Simply by utilizing a portable oxygen concentrator rather than an oxygen tank or oxygen canisters, you are saving money while minimizing a lot of the obstacles that come with oxygen tanks.

Portable oxygen concentrators are also much safer to use because there is no reserved compressed liquid or oxygen gas that would otherwise create a fire hazard. Instead, the concentrators extract the surrounding air, purify, and condense it into the medical grade oxygen that you breathe in.

That being said, there are still certain adjustments and challenges that come with you oxygen concentrators.

One of the best ways to overcome any obstacle is to learn more and educate yourself about the subject. Knowledge is power, and that is why we’re now offering a FREE Thrive eLearning Course with the purchase of your Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator.

We know how important pulmonary wellness is, but this means more than just having a great portable oxygen concentrator; it requires you to make other lifestyle changes involving your diet, exercise routine, and more.

In an effort to help you with all aspects of your pulmonary wellness regimen, we wanted to give this immersive learning experience to our customers so they can educate themselves beyond the oxygen therapy and adjust other complicated aspects of life while dealing with COPD or other respiratory diseases.

Thrive is an accessible, all-in-one online training course that aims to provide you with simple, practical, and actionable tips for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

With this program, you’ll also have access to one-on-one counseling with certified pulmonary experts, support group opportunities, online learning courses, and much more! Below is a full list of what you’ll receive:

• Direct access to a private support group (patients, caretakers, and experts)
• Years of COPD and respiratory illness knowledge
• Step-by-step disease management regimen
• Best selling e-books and guides
• Step-by-step breathing exercises
• Learn about exacerbations and how to prevent them
• Speak with a nutritionist about refining and improving your diet

COPD symptoms can only be managed with impeccable lifestyle choices. This ePulmonary Advanced Online Workshop will help you get back on track and locate any anomalies in your COPD treatment plan.

The Inogen One G5 will provide you with the oxygen and freedom that you need to live life on your own terms, but this training program will make you unstoppable!

This Thrive ePulmonary Online Training Program is a $497 value, but we’re offering it for FREE! Order your Inogen One G5 today and experience the freedom you want and deserve! Fill out the blue box to the right of your screen, or call a respiratory specialist at 1-800-943-1201 and find out how you can purchase a Inogen One G5 portable oxygen concentrator.

Your goals for oxygen therapy

Your goal when it comes to oxygen therapy should be to continue as many of your usual activities as you can!

You should work with your doctor and oxygen supply company to get oxygen equipment that will allow you to do every activity you still enjoy. Choosing the right type of equipment for you and your lifestyle is crucial — the right portable oxygen equipment can play a major role in improving your quality of life, starting by relieving a lot of your symptoms.

Oxygen therapy works to relieve breathlessness, so that you can exercise and get outdoors more often. Not only does oxygen therapy give you the accessibility to do more it also gives you more time! By this, I mean that oxygen therapy studies from multiple sources suggest that long-term oxygen therapy extends the life expectancy of COPD patients with low blood oxygen levels.

Even though there are a lot of great aspects associated with oxygen therapy, there are side effects that you should be aware of, so that you know how to handle it.

Get comfortable, oxygen therapy is your new normal

Side effects of oxygen therapy may include:

• The skin around the face mask or nasal cannula can get irritated.
• The inside of your nose might become dry.
• You may get nosebleeds once in a while.
• In the morning, you may wake up tired or with a headache.

In some cases, you can avoid these side effects by adjusting the amount of oxygen you get, meaning that you should continue to speak with your doctor about your oxygen prescription.

The equipment you use may need to be changed if you’re having constant problems and irritation, but most of the time there is just a small adjustment period where your body has to get used to the new normal.

If you’ve ever used a bulky and cumbersome continuous flow concentrator or an oxygen tank, you know that they’re anything but user-friendly.

While both methods do offer you the oxygen you need, it doesn’t feel like they were built with your comfort in mind.

If you are looking for a portable oxygen concentrator that was designed to be comfortable, The Caire Freestyle Comfort got its name for a reason; it was specifically designed to be comfortable to wear and use.

This oxygen unit has a curved design that fits the natural shape of your body. While you’re walking, it will stay at your side instead of sliding around and interfering with your natural movements.

All of the buttons for your oxygen control as well as the power switch are conveniently located on the top of the unit and the batteries can be easily pulled off the bottom of the unit for replacement.

The Caire Freestyle Comfort is one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrators on the market, weighing in at just 5 pounds with the 8-cell battery and 6 pounds with the 16-cell battery.

This means you’ll be able to carry your oxygen unit without ever experiencing back pain or unnecessary strain that can ruin your day.

There is some adjusting you have to get used to when you first get started on your oxygen therapy regime, but soon enough your life with your trusted POC will be the new normal. A big part of enjoying life while using oxygen therapy is having the right equipment.

This means having a POC that meets your oxygen requirements but also allows you the freedom and opportunity to travel, exercise, and socialize.

The other aspect, is education and this means learning about you disease and how it should be managed on a daily basis along with your oxygen therapy.

The bottom line when it comes to oxygen therapy is that it is a blessing in disguise. When you are diagnosed with COPD you might think that you should try to go as long as possible before you have to start using oxygen.

But the truth is, once your doctor prescribes you oxygen therapy, if done correctly, you should start to see improvements in your mood, energy, and overall quality of life.

As we mentioned in this article, there are still side effects, but having an oxygen device that is designed to be comfortable and easy to use will help with those adjustment periods where you are learning how to manage and avoid certain irritations.

Also always be patient and kind to yourself, allow yourself time to learn about oxygen therapy before you let yourself hate it. If you need help adjusting or think that your oxygen device is not right for you, give us a call at 1-800-946-1201 or reach out over social media and we will gladly mentor the oxygen user on best practices.

If you have COPD, the first sign that something was not right was likely feeling shortness of breath, to the point that you wanted to see your doctor about it. It also could have been that incessant cough throughout the day and night.

It's easy to blame a cough on allergies or a common cold, but if it persists and becomes a regular thing, you should see your doctor to discuss the possibility of having COPD or another lung ailment. The sooner you find out if it is COPD causing your symptoms the sooner you will be able to treat the chronic illness, thereby slowing down the progression of your COPD.

The first thing that you need to understand is that coughing may seem like a symptom you want to relieve, but in the case of COPD, it actually serves a function.

Continue reading to understand how COPD and coughing are related, what you can do to ease a cough, and when to seek medical attention.

How are COPD and Coughing Related

If you have COPD you probably experience a persistent cough. This symptom is related to a condition of COPD called chronic bronchitis, which means that your airways are constantly irritated. This irritation is often caused by smoking or second-hand smoke, but it can also be caused by other irritants and biological factors, such as pollution or genetics.

The irritation in your airways causes two problems that prevent enough air from passing through to the lungs:

• The lining of your airways become swollen
• There is too much mucus produced by your lungs

People with chronic bronchitis can have a persistent cough because it is important to regularly clear their swollen airways of this excess mucus, which can sometimes be difficult and require extra attention and treatments, of which, we will discuss in more detail in the What you can do to ease a cough associated with COPD section of this article.

So, coughing caused by COPD is often productive and it is a natural function of your body that plays an important role in your breathing system. Coughing helps to move extra mucus out from your lungs. Coughing is also a reaction that can help remove certain irritants you may inhale into your lungs, like dust, pollution, and other common allergens.

When your cough produces mucus, which is also called sputum or phlegm, that means your body is working correctly to clear the excess mucus up through your swollen airways and into your throat and out of your mouth.

It is normal for the mucus to be clear or white, yellow, or green in color but if the mucus is very mucky, it may be a sign of a respiratory infection. We will go over this in more detail in the When you should see a doctor section

What you can do to ease a cough associated with COPD

To determine whether or not your cough needs to be treated with medication or other remedies, depends on the type of cough you are experiencing and whether or not your cough is actually helping to clear your lungs and airways.

You should consult with your doctor to determine the type of cough you are experiencing and how to deal with it going forward.

As we discussed in the section above, airway clearing coughs serves a meaningful purpose by clearing out mucus from your airways. In this case, it is best for you to continue coughing in order to avoid mucus building up in your lungs.

That being said, there are certain medications you can take as well as techniques you can learn how to perform in order to couch more effectively.

COPD and coughing medications

If your cough is due to very thick mucus, first you should try to drink more fluids. This can help make your mucus thinner and easier to clear. If this does not work well enough, then there are medicines called “expectorants” that can help make the mucus easier to cough up.

If your coughing becomes painful or difficult to control. In those cases, your doctor might recommend cough suppressants that keeps your body from coughing. These suppressants might also be used for coughs that do not produce mucus, like a dry smoker’s cough.

If you have COPD, coughing can also cause a “bronchospasm” or “spasm.” This happens when your muscles around your airways suddenly tense up causing your airways to become very narrow, This makes it even hard to breathe. To reduce coughing that causes spasms, healthcare providers might prescribe special types of inhaled medications called “bronchodilators” or inhaled steroids.

If you are not interested in getting on medication for you coughing, there are also three airways clearing techniques you can do to clear your lungs

Airway clearing techniques for COPD

One of the most effective ways to clear your airways is to use the effective, or controlled, cough technique. This cough comes from deep within your lungs and has just enough force to loosen and carry mucus through your airways without causing them to narrow or collapse. By utilizing the controlled coughing practice, you will save energy and therefore, oxygen.

• Controlled coughing: A type of cough that comes from deep in your lungs. It loosens mucus and moves it though your airways
• Postural drainage: You lie down in different positions to help drain mucus from your lungs
• Chest percussion: You lightly tap your chest and back. The tapping loosens the mucus in your lungs

To cough effectively:

1. Sit on a chair or on the edge of your bed, with both feet on the floor. Lean slightly forward. Relax
2. Fold your arms across your abdomen and breathe in slowly through your nose. (The power of the cough comes from moving air.)
3. To exhale: lean forward, pressing your arms against your abdomen. Cough 2-3* times through a slightly open mouth. Coughs should be short and sharp. The first cough loosens the mucus and moves it through the airways. The second and third cough enables you to cough the mucus up and out.
4. Breathe in again by "sniffing" slowly and gently through your nose. This gentle breath helps prevent mucus from moving back down your airways
5. Rest
6. Perform again if needed

Here is a link to postural drainage and chest percussion treatment and how to perform these mucus clearing techniques.

Natural home remedies for helping reduce COPD induced coughing

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil contains a natural compound called eucalyptol. Eucalyptol may have the following benefits for people with COPD and may ease uncomfortable coughing symptoms:

1. antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
2. opens up the airways in the lungs
3. reduces mucus production
4. helps clear mucus from the lungs
5. prevents flare-ups in moderate to severe COPD

One way you can use eucalyptus oil is by adding 12 drops of eucalyptus oil to 150 milliliters of boiling water and inhaling up to three times per day.

This will not work for everyone, and if you experience any side effect of the oil, stop using it immediately.

Quit Smoking to reduce dry coughing

Smoking is the leading cause of COPD in the United States and is responsible for around 90 percent of COPD-related deaths.

Tobacco smoke is known to irritate your airways and your lungs. Smoke causes inflammation and obstruction within your airways causing them to narrow, and making it very difficult for air to pass in and out.

If you smoke, the most important step to reduce COPD related symptoms and slowing down the progression of your COPD is to stop smoking. Quitting will put an end to “smoker’s cough,” the dry, hacking cough common among people who smoke.

A deep, productive cough that clears the airways of mucus may replace this dry cough also benefiting you and your breathing.

When you should seek medical attention

Call your doctor within 24 hours if you notice:

• You’re out of breath or coughing more than usual
• Being out of breath affects your daily routine
• You’re coughing up more gunk that normal
• The mucus you are coughing up is dark yellow, dark green, or rust-colored
• You have a fever over 101 F
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms it could mean that you have a respiratory infection or your COPD is getting worse.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you’re still out of breath after using the medicines your doctor has prescribed for your COPD.

Other symptoms associated with COPD 

One of the other many symptoms of COPD we mentioned very briefly in this article was shortness of breath. When you have COPD your lungs are no longer able to process oxygen like they once did. This is partly due to the irritation in your airways that also causes coughing. 

Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema can cause shortness of breath. This symptom is also called “breathlessness” or “dyspnea".

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If you airways are swollen and filled with mucus, not only does this initiated a coughing reaction, but it also inhibits oxygen from flowing through your lungs and into your blood stream and organs. 

Not only is this feeling extremely uncomfortable, it is also life threatening, and if it goes untreated for a long period of time, you will inevitably be taking years off of your life.

Here are positive changes you can make to improve breathing with COPD:

Learn pursed-lip breathing This is a breathing exercise designed for people with COPD: Purse your lips and blow as much air out as you can before taking a deep breath in through your pursed lips again. Then slow down your breath so that you’re using as much of your lungs as you can. This technique slows your breathing rate and helps to keep your airways open which can also help to reduced coughing episodes.

Drink plenty of water because water helps thin out mucus so you can clear it better. Some people with COPD have conditions that could be made worse by extra fluid, however some people with COPD may be very dehydrated.Speak with your doctor to find out how much water you can safely drink. 

Get informed and continue learning about COPD and how your lungs function. This can help you better understand and manage your condition. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs often offer this type of education.

Exercising regularly can make a big difference in your breathing capabilities and COPD symptoms. A lot of people with COPD get more and more out of breath as their disease progresses, but it’s not due of their lung function — it's because they’re not conditioning enough. Most doctors recommend walking for people with COPD since it’s moderate in intensity and easily accessible.

Know and avoid your triggers. If you have COPD and allergies, take steps to avoid anything you’re allergic to. This may mean putting dust covers on your pillows and mattress or keeping your pets out of the bedroom. High-efficiency particulate air filters can remove dust and other irritants from the air in your home. You may also consider a humidifier if dry air triggers your symptoms.

Get your rest Many people with COPD have an underlying sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, that makes it difficult to get good sleep. When you sleep better, you’ll feel better and breathe better, so if you are not able to fall asleep, or have trouble staying asleep, speak with your doctor to understand the root of this issue so you can solve it. 

Stay on a healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods is needed with COPD to maintain strength and fight off infections. Eating healthy can help you lose weight and breathe easier. If you’re underweight, ask your doctor about the best foods to eat and if nutritional supplements are right for you.

Take your medication COPD medications can help manage symptoms, including shortness of breath so be sure you’re taking the right medications and get evaluated to make sure your lung function is as good as it can be

If you have severely low oxygen levels this is called hypoxemia, your doctor will likely prescribe you medical-grade oxygen, for home oxygen therapy. Long-term oxygen therapy has many benefits if it is used correctly and It can even help you live longer.

Low oxygen symptoms of hypoxemia vary depending upon how severe your COPD is, and how severely it affects you. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, contact your doctors as soon as possible. If you experience more than one of the following symptoms at one time, seek medical attention immediately:

• Confusion
• A sense of euphoria
• Restlessness
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness, lightheadedness and/or fainting spells
• Lack of coordination
• Rapid heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure
• Visual disturbances
• A bluish tint to the lips, earlobes, and/or nail beds (cyanosis)

Hypoxemia is the main reason that people with COPD and other lung diseases are prescribed supplemental oxygen. There are a few forms of home oxygen therapy: You can opt for liquid oxygen tanks, gas cylinder tanks, or the most popular, convenient, and cheapest option a portable oxygen concentrator.

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If you are a good candidate for long-term oxygen therapy, this is a blessing in disguise. While it might seem as if you lung function is declining, once you are able to utilize oxygen, your quality of life will improve drastically. When you have adjusted to the oxygen therapy, you will begin to slow the progression of you COPD as well! 

Once you find the right POC for you, your bones and muscles will feel stronger and energized, you will have improved exercise tolerance, your mood and stamina will boost,  your quality of sleep may improve, and so much more. 

If you feel like you have experienced any of the symptoms of hypoxemia, and are curious how to find the best portable oxygen concentrator to fit you oxygen requirements, fill out the blue box to the right, it is our official guide to portable oxygen concentrators. 

Cough with a Purpose

Remember, COPD-related lung damage can’t be reversed, but it can be controlled if treated properly.

Now that you understand that your cough can in fact be beneficial for your health and in treating COPD, we hope that you can use the information in this article to cough effectively and efficiently. These coughing techniques, mixed with medication and other home remedies should reduce the dry uncomfortable smokers cough, and help you to cough with a purpose.

Even though this can be a pain, always feel free to excuse yourself during social gatherings, and other outings to clear mucus from your lungs and airways. This will allow you to go longer without coughing and spend more quality time with the ones you love while enjoying the things you like to do.

The more you practice these coughing techniques the more efficient you will become at clearing your airways, and therefore breathing!

If you have any questions please leave a comment on this blog below, and always feel free to share our blog with your friends and family. By explaining how beneficial your cough is for managing your COPD, they will better understand and be willing to help and encourage coughing rather than trying to help you avoid it.