The beauty of the natural world is not something that is limited to a certain age group, and the inclusiveness of the outdoor community knows no limits. No matter where you spent most of your life, whether you are a home-body or a born nomad, there is no better time to get out into nature than in your senior years.

If you are skeptical about how you would enjoy a hiking adventure while managing the obstacles that come with older age, please continue reading.

This article will guide you through everything you need to know as a senior on how to navigate trails safely, how to use technology to find which trails are best for you and your capabilities, tips for gear and clothing, and more.

Consult with your doctors if hiking is right for you

There are certain medical precautions you must take before exposing yourself to new terrain. And if you are looking to expand your horizons when it comes to longer-distance hiking or more challenging trails, you should still discuss with your doctor what may limit your ability to accomplish your goals and if there are ways around those limitations, such as; quitting smoking, investing in a portable oxygen concentrator, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, a new diet plan etc.

If you struggle with common age related health issues you might find valuable resources online that will help you maintain vitality 

Common age related health issues that may affect your ability to hike develop in your bones, heart, and lungs. If you experience any of these complications, it does not mean that this is the end to your hiking endeavors. All this means is that you are going to start your uphill battle before hitting the trail.

Health issues that make it too difficult to hike  

COPD is one of the most common lung aliments and it will progress into a very serious condition if gone untreated.

That being said, we do understand the reality that some people's health conditions does inhibit their ability to hike safely and comfortably. However, walking is one of best things you can do for COPD, and other health complications like osteoporosis, or heart failure. 

Try pushing yourself to walk around your house once a day: walk to get the mail, or go up and down the stairs. From there your lungs, bones, and heart will begin to strengthen and hopefully your energy levels will increase allowing you to go further everyday, and potentially get outside on a trail someday.

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Begin a hiking training program at home

If you are healthy and ready to start mapping out your next adventure, skip to the next section! Otherwise, begin implementing a strict exercise, weight management, and diet plan into your daily routine. Start your training by walking daily for a week and write down in a journal your route, distance, amount of time, and details about how you felt and anything you noticed about your body or experience.

You can try to share your stats and observations with your future hiking buddies or family to reinforce your efforts. Keeping a record can be very self gratifying because hiking can become addictive!

You should also enforce a strict diet plan that is high in nutrients your body craves. Talk to a nutritionist about foods you can start incorporating into your diet, so you are more capable of building strength and endurance for the trail. 

Strengthen your core

To walk for hours at a time, do not be fooled, you’ll need more than just strong legs. Distance walking has been proven to compress your spine, causing backaches. One way to minimize back pain or aches while hiking or long distance walking is to focus on building core strength.

While you are walking, always try lengthening your spine by keeping your shoulders down, abdomen (stomach) contracted into your spine, keep your head held high, and avoid staring straight down at the ground. You can also try swimming, water aerobics, pilates and yoga to help build your core and keep you limber.

It is completely normal to lose muscle mass as you age, but you are able to tone the muscle you do have by incorporating cross training exercise with your hiking and long distance walks such as: Downward dogs and planks from yoga, Cardio from water jogging and aerobics, and crunches and even gardening for extra core work.

Download the AllTrails app on your apple or android smartphone

AllTrails will act as your guide if you do not want to hire a guide or go hiking with a tour group. While the latter options are great, some individuals value independence on the trail and in the wilderness.

This app is simple and easy to use, you can find trailheads near your area and far beyond, and you can use the app while you are hiking as a map so you stay on the trail and don't get lost.

You are able to use GSP and find hikes near you, or input a nearby town or mountain range you are looking to explore. You can filter the results by the “Best Match”, “Most Popular”, or the “Closet”, and you can choose ''Easy”, “Moderate”, to “Difficult” trails.

The app will also only show you the trails that are a specified distance, so if you only want to go 1.5 miles one day, you are capable of finding a trail that's perfect for you.

AllTrails will also inform you of the hiking trails that offer mountain biking, dog, horseback riding, or motorized vehicles, so you will be aware of all the faster moving obstacles you might encounter.

The most useful AllTrails feature for seniors or people with disabilities or health conditions is the option to filter trail results that are wheelchair friendly and paved or partially paved. Also by being able to input elevation gain, you can find flat trails that you can wheel your continuous flow oxygen concentrator or feel confident carrying a portable oxygen concentrator with ease.

Choose the trail that is right for you

Now that you have an essential application (AllTrails) for choosing the right trail, it is time to be honest with yourself, and decide what hike is within your capabilities. It is perfectly normal to start small: Take a short 0.7 mile hike, that is partially paved, and close by your home.

Hiking trails that are good for seniors who do not normally hike are typically flatter and wider. If you are a beginner stick to a trail with a smooth walking surface that is better for balance and try to avoid trails with higher elevation gain.

Hiking uphill can be strenuous for your lungs, while hiking downhill can be rough on your knees.

Once you begin to feel more comfortable on the trails, you can start poking around your comfort zone, but never feel obligated to be uncomfortable, hiking should be a stress reliever, and if you are feeling dread or fear over a hike you planned, it is not the best option for you at that time.

Check the weather in the nearby town or area

If you are about to embark on your adventure in the woods, along the beach, through the plains, or along foothills be sure to check the weather in the nearby town before you go. Be aware that the weather at higher elevation tends to change rapidly and with little to no warning.

Know as much as you can about the weather patterns in the area before you go so that you can pack all of the essentials: rain coat, wind breaker, sunscreen, sun hat, or insulated jacket.

Dress for the weather

The best advice for hiking clothing is to wear or bring multiple layers. Going up hill you may feel warm, and going down hill you might get chilly. Weather will also change through out the day so you are able to de-layer or add layers whenever necessary for your ultimate comfort. Here are some ideas for outerwear options in different weather conditions:

Early morning hike in the middle of July:

• Light/ medium jacket: The morning air may be chilly especially if you are in the mountains or exploring in higher elevations
  
  
• Breathable hiking pants: While it may be chilly in the mornings, towards the middle and end of your hike the sun will kick in and having breathable pants will make a world difference. You will want to avoid wearing shorts to limit bug bites and exposure to harmful UV sun rays
  
  
• Sun hat: Invest in a hat that covers your forehead, ears, and neck. Even by applying sunscreen to these areas, your forehead and neck will likely sweat during the hike and if you forget to reapply sunscreen the sun damage can be irreversible.
  
  

Afternoon hike to see the leaves changing at the beginning of Autumn:

• Base layer: Your base layer should not be cotton fabric. You will likely sweat on the way up the trail, and rather than wicking away perspirant, cotton will trap moisture keeping you cold and wet on the way down.
  
  
• Insulated rain coat: Even if there is no rain in the forecast, an insulated raincoat will keep you warm all the way up and down the trail, and if an unexpected afternoon storm rolls in you’ll be prepared.
  
  
• Hiking pants: Hiking pants that are comfortable yet warm will be perfect for an Autumn hike. If you walk at a steady pace, you don't want to get too hot by wearing an extra base layer.
  
  

A sunny but wintery hike for a chance to get outside before the next storm rolls in

• Base layer: Your base layer should not be cotton fabric. You will likely sweat on the way up the trail, and rather than wicking away perspirant cotton trap moisture, keeping you cold and wet on the way down.
  
  
• Breathable sweater: A mild sweater will keep you warm if you are too warm wearing the puffy coat and you want to de-layer
  
  
• Puffy coat: The best way to stay warm in cold temperatures is to have a down or synthetic down puffy coat. These will also fold down small enough to stuff in your backpack when you start to warm up and need to de-layer.
  
  
• Base layer pants: water wicking pants with some insulation will keep your extremities warm through, snow, wind, and cold temperatures.
  
  
• Hiking pants: Wearing thick hiking pants will protect you against cold winds while still allowing maneuverability
  
  

A hike across the valley to see the annual spring blooms

• Base layer: Your base layer should not be cotton fabric. You will likely sweat on the way up the trail, and rather than wicking away perspirant, cotton trap moisture keeping you cold and wet on the way down.
  
  
• Light rain jacket: A light rain jacket will keep you dry if there are any showers but won’t insulate heat so you won’t get too hot.
  
  
• Hiking pants: Pants are always the best options for protection against rain, wind, and sun.

Use trekking/hiking poles

Hiking poles are a great option for hikers of all ages because they help immensely with balance. Poles can be used to lighten your steps, ease your knees, help propel you forward, help you detect a path’s surface, and test wobbly rocks.

You should train to use your trekking poles before you get on the trail to develop efficiency and to gain arm strength. When you are buying trekking/hiking poles, remember that most hiking poles are adjustable so you are able to shorten the poles for the hike up and lengthen them for the way down.

Drink plenty of water

Having enough water is the key to enjoying physical activities, especially outdoors while hiking. One trick to getting enough water and staying hydrated is to drink plenty of water a couple of days before you plan to go hiking so your body is already fueled and hydrated before your hike.

If you are going on a longer hike, bring a camelback backpack, and a water pump to filter running water in case you run out. This should on be necessary for very experienced hikers going very far distances upwards of 6-10 miles, with high-levels of elevation gain.

A 24 fl oz water bottle should do the trick for a mile long hike, unless it's mid-day, June-August, and hot, you should bring at least two water bottles and place them in the side pockets of your backpack.

If carrying water is too heavy, hydrate a lot the week before you go hiking, drink a full bottle of water on the drive to the hike, carry a smaller light weight water bottle for sipping during the hike, and leave an entire water bottle full in the car for afterwards.

Pack a first aid or emergency kit

Even if you are just going for a short hike, you should always bring a first aid kit especially if you have any health conditions. This can be a makeshift first aid kit, with all of your personal essentials like an inhaler or nebulizer, or if you do not have any health condition, you can find a small first kit at any general store.

If you are embarking on a longer more strenuous journey, pack an emergency kit with an outdoor first aid kit, extra food and water, a way to start a fire (like waterproof matchers or a lighter), and always bring a headlamp or flashlight.

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Hike with a group

Some people enjoy the isolation of being out in nature alone, but if you have any underlying health conditions, it is important to have people who can help you if something goes astray.

Try finding a buddy or two who enjoy the outdoors, and are willing or able to maintain your hiking pace. It is not always fun leaving your group behind or feeling rushed and overwhelmed being in the back of the group.

There is nothing wrong with finding your pace, and sticking to it, but a healthy group dynamic while hiking keeps morale high.

Enjoy the views

We hope that everyone can find some outdoor adventure that suits their needs, and we hope to give you the tools to navigate the outdoors with ease and confidence going forward.

If you enjoyed this article keep following us for upcoming posts about outdoor recreation for seniors or anyone with a health condition that might feel limited in their ability to do outdoor activities. 

If you would be interested in hearing about hikes near you, please leave a comment below and a note about your capabilities so we can research ideas for your next adventure and write about it in out next blog post.

Remember there is no right or wrong way to hike, as long as you are safe responsible and enjoying your time outdoors! 

From the novel coronavirus to devastating wildfires, 2020 has been a challenging year for us all. But for people with chronic respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma, this year has been the ultimate test. The good news is that, by following all COVID-19 safety precautions stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and by checking the air quality index (AQI) before leaving the house, many COPD patients have adjusted nicely to a new way of life.

With the holidays coming up, you may be wondering how you can stay safe while still catching up with friends and loved ones. Whether you’re flying across the country or you’re just going down the street, it’s important to prepare well enough in advance so that you can stay healthy and happy and avoid emergencies like COPD flare-ups and exacerbations. Conversely, if you are having relatives over to your house, you should ensure your home is safe for you and your guests.

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In this post, we’ll take a look at several of the most important safety tips you should take into consideration. As always, if you have any questions for us, feel free to leave them in the comment section and we’ll do our best to answer them as soon as possible. What’s more, if you have any questions about your COPD treatment plan or you’re thinking of making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medication, please consult your doctor beforehand.

Upgrade to a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Chances are, you know exactly what it’s like to use an oxygen tank during the holiday season. First and foremost, you have to have a plan as to how you will refill your oxygen tank while you’re away from home. This could mean bringing a spare tank or researching oxygen companies in the area that can deliver oxygen to you. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to find an oxygen company that’s actually open during the holiday season.

The next thing you have to consider is how you will actually transport your oxygen. Oxygen tanks are banned on all airlines, so taking a flight is out of the question. It’s also very dangerous to travel with an oxygen tank in your car, so you will have to take a number of safety precautions in order to ensure that it doesn’t move around while you’re in transit. Last but not least, you’ll have to spend your whole holiday keeping a close eye on your tank, making sure it’s not exposed to any open flames or anything that could damage the fragile components.

Fortunately, using a personal oxygen concentrator is much easier and safer. Travel size oxygen concentrators like the Caire FreeStyle Comfort are lightweight, compact, and most importantly, they’re much safer to use than a standard oxygen tank. Portable oxygen concentrators are electronic devices that draw in ambient air, remove unneeded gases, and then put out medical grade oxygen. As a result, they don’t store oxygen at high pressures like oxygen tanks do. 

Another reason they’re safer is that they have an implemented “breath detection technology” which cuts off oxygen flow if no breath is detected. Since oxygen increases the flammability of everything it comes in contact with, you can rest assured you’ll be safe if you accidentally drop your nasal cannula and leave it for an extended period of time.

One final reason that portable oxygen concentrators are safer to use during the holidays is that they don’t create a tripping hazard. If you use an oxygen tank, you will have to wheel it around on a carrying cart meaning your nasal cannula will have to run from the tank to your nose. However, portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 can be slung over your shoulder and tucked under your arm so that it’s always accounted for. What’s more, you can keep your oxygen tubing nice and short so that it’s not dragging on the ground.

Have a Plan for Dealing with Exacerbations

According to the American Thoracic Society (ATS), a COPD exacerbation is a period of worsening symptoms, most commonly caused by infection. And unfortunately, being around your family and extended family during the holidays will put you at a higher risk of contracting illnesses like the flu, the common cold, and even the coronavirus. Contrary to popular belief, most medical experts recommend wearing a mask if you have COPD. As long as you’re using supplemental oxygen therapy as prescribed and you’re checking your blood oxygen levels regularly, the mask should not affect your symptoms.   

If you’re someone who experiences anxiety or claustrophobia while wearing a mask, there are a number of techniques you can try to alleviate this. Since claustrophobia is closely linked to how you breathe, taking the time to learn breathing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing can help you in the long run. This involves concentrating on using your diaphragmatic muscles to breathe rather than your chest muscles. Another thing you can try is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which can help you pinpoint the root cause of anxiety and learn ways to cope with it in a manageable way.

Aside from wearing a mask, you should follow all other COVID-19 safety guidelines. This means maintaining 6 feet of distance between other people, washing your hands regularly throughout the day, and making others aware that you’re a high-risk individual. Making others aware of your condition is important because if there was an emergency, they would need to know how to help. If you want, you can even write down an action plan to help you out in a difficult situation. If you’d like to learn more about COPD action plans, read through this post.

Don’t Fall Back on Old Habits

When you were diagnosed with COPD, you likely had some significant obstacles to overcome. Smoking cessation, an improved diet, and a consistent exercise routine are all necessary to get back on track and slow the progression of COPD. Unfortunately, all the bad habits you dropped when you were diagnosed with COPD can come flooding back when you’re around people you haven’t seen in a while.

Before leaving the house for the holidays, it’s important to mentally prepare. While the holiday season is all about relaxing and letting go, you don’t want to be so relaxed that you forget about your COPD treatment plan. One thing most people do on Thanksgiving and Christmas is overeating. This may be relatively harmless for someone who’s healthy, but for someone with COPD, this could mean exacerbating your lung symptoms. 

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The main reason you don’t want to overeat during the holidays is that it can lead to bloating. When this happens, you’ll notice that you have a harder time breathing and you’ll be more likely to experience chest pain or a chronic cough. Secondly, COPD patients have a hard time processing a lot of food all at once. This is why doctors recommend eating smaller meals spread throughout the day because it is easier for your body to manage. Eating large meals can also lead to weight gain. 

According to U.S. News, being overweight has a number of negative effects when it comes to managing your disease. Overweight individuals will get out of breath faster and excess body weight on the stomach and chest can interfere with breathing. Another problem is that overweight people tend to maintain a diet high in carbohydrates which get converted to carbon dioxide (CO2) during digestion. This means you’ll be struggling to get the oxygen you need to maintain your blood oxygen levels. So, if you want to eat healthy this holiday season be sure to focus on portion control and avoid foods that are high in carbs.

Another habit you may be tempted to fall back on is smoking. Cigarette smoking causes around 85 to 90 percent of all COPD cases and continuing to smoke with COPD will worsen the disease and trigger exacerbations. If you’re spending time with relatives that you used to smoke with or people who currency smoke this holiday season, this could cause you to slip back into an old habit. And even if you don’t smoke with this person, being around them will still expose you to secondhand smoke which can be just as bad.

Take Time Packing Your Medication

If you’re a COPD patient, your medication is paramount to your health. Whether you take orally administered medication, inhaled medication like nebulizer therapy or inhaler therapy, or some combination of the two, you’ll need to ensure that everything is packed and ready to go before you head out the door. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to renew your prescription for all of your medications so that you don’t have to worry about that when the time comes to leave.

Long-acting bronchodilators are designed to relax the airways and help you breathe easier throughout the day. This includes drugs such as tiotropium, salmeterol, indacaterol, formoterol, arformoterol, and aclidinium. Short-acting bronchodilators, on the other hand, are designed to work quickly in the event that you experience a COPD exacerbation. Short-acting bronchodilators include albuterol, ipratropium, ipratropium bromide, and levalbuterol.

Plan a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Schedule

Pulmonary rehabilitation has been one of the most hotly debated aspects of COPD treatment plans. In the past, it was believed that any form of exercise would exacerbate respiratory systems. However, within the past several decades, studies have shown that a carefully planned and consistent exercise routine can improve lung strength and slow the progression of COPD.

While it’s tempting to forget about exercising and practicing breathing exercises while you’re away for the holidays, this will only put you behind on your treatment regime. Rather you should take the time to plan out your day and ensure that you follow all of your doctor's instructions. It may not seem like it, but even a small amount of moderate exercise can go a long way towards improving your long term prognosis and helping you feel better.

Check the Air Quality Index (AQI)

You may believe that, since the temperature is starting to drop, there’s no need to check the air quality index before you go outside. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case. Cold weather actually causes things like car exhaust and other types of air pollution to stick closer to the ground since the air is denser and moves more slowly. This means it’s more important than ever to check the air quality. What’s more, there are a number of wildfires still raging across the country which are filling the air with smoke.

According to this study, the most common types of pollution during winter months are PM10 (particulate matter that is 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Wildfires are a complex mixture of pollutants including fine particles, water vapor, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, organic chemicals, and more. When you go to check the AQI in your area, be sure to keep an eye out for these.

COPD patients are considered part of the “sensitive group” when it comes to air quality. Generally speaking, COPD patients should not go outside if the AQI is over 100, but if you have late stage COPD, an AQI under 50 will be ideal. Like we discussed in our last blog post, there is an AQI mobile application that you can download on either your Android or iPhone that makes it simple and easy to check the air quality in your area.

Bring Clothing That’s Appropriate for the Weather

The weather has an immense impact on COPD symptoms. Extreme conditions, typically over 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing can cause flare-ups and lead to unexpected side-effects like increased mucus production. Of course, the best way to cope with these weather conditions is to remain inside with the heater on, however, going outside may be unavoidable if you’re visiting relatives. 

One of the best ways to keep your body temperature high while out in the cold is to wear multiple layers. Unfortunately, simply wearing a heavy jacket won’t do much to keep you warm and it could even restrict your breathing. Rather, you should wear several layers of flexible clothing that don’t add any unnecessary strain to your chest or stomach. Also, be sure to wear gloves, a hat, and a scarf. 

For more information on managing COPD in cold weather, read our article titled, “The Complete Guide to Managing Your COPD in the Winter”. 

Conclusion

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner. In just a few weeks it will be time to pack the bags and head to the relatives’ house. And whether you’re planning on traveling across the country or next door, there’s a lot of planning COPD patients need to do in order to stay safe and healthy during this time. Follow the tips above to get you started and don’t hesitate to leave a comment below if you have any questions for us.

If you’re looking for a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator for your holiday trip, feel free to reach out to our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical. We are happy to provide COPD patients with plenty of options from the most reputable brands in the industry like Caire Inc., Inogen, and Respironics. Some of our most popular units include the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, Inogen One G5, and the Respironics SimplyGo.

November is COPD awareness month, a time to come together and educate people of all backgrounds about the global impact of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD awareness month is marked by an orange ribbon and can be observed in a number of different ways. Despite being the third leading cause of death in the United States, COPD suffers from a severe lack of awareness. According to a Health Union survey, only about 38 percent of patients were aware what COPD was or what its risk factors were before being diagnosed.

Believe it or not, November is also lung cancer awareness month. And while these two diseases share many symptoms, causes, and risk factors, they are not the same disease. To put this into perspective, about 16 million people have COPD in the United States, yet only about 541,000 people have lung cancer in the United States. Generally speaking, more people are aware of the impact of lung cancer and they’re more educated about the symptoms than those of COPD.

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No matter whether you’ve just been diagnosed with COPD, you’ve had COPD for years, or you’ve never been diagnosed with COPD, we’re going to take a look at seven of the best ways to celebrate COPD awareness month. If you have any questions about anything you’ve read here, please feel free to leave a comment or reach out to us.

Participate in Local Events

The novel coronavirus has made 2020 a difficult year for in-person events like concerts, fundraisers, and more. In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many of these events have been canceled in order to limit or outright prevent human-to-human contact. But that doesn’t mean that these events have stopped entirely, it just means that people have had to adapt to a new way of doing things. For most people, this has meant relying more on technology than ever before and embracing things like social media and video conferences.

Because COVID-19 specifically targets the respiratory system, it’s more important than ever for COPD patients to be aware of what’s going on in the world of COPD research. According to COPD News Today, although respiratory patients have a high survival rate when contracting COVID-19, they’re still at a much higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms from the virus than the general public. COPD patients are more likely to experience exacerbations such as increased dyspnea, phlegm production in the airways, and chest pain.   

Mentor Youth to Prevent Smoking and Vaping

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking rates have declined from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 15.5 percent in 2016 among adults 18 years of age and older. While this is certainly great news, there are still many battles to be fought when it comes to smoking prevention, especially among people who are most vulnerable such as the youth. According to Heathline, about 8 percent of teens smoke cigarettes and about 21 percent use e-cigarettes or vape pens.

Vaping has often been touted as the “best option” for weaning people off of cigarettes and onto a substance that’s less harmful for your health. However, vaping has been linked to a number of illnesses commonly called E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). What’s more, many people argue that vaping can be used as a “gateway drug” leading to the use of cigarettes and marijuana, especially in younger generations.

If you have COPD, you likely agree that any amount of drug use among American youth is too much. This is why COPD awareness month is the perfect time to mentor kids and teens about the dangers of cigarette smoking. If you know what it’s like to live with COPD and you’ve spent time researching and understanding your disease, this puts you in a great position to mentor younger generations and teach them about a disease they may know little or nothing about.

There are many ways to get involved with youth mentoring. First and foremost, you can simply speak with friends or family members and tell them your story of coping with COPD. Another thing you can do is support tobacco-free schools and programs. While most schools do promote a smoke-free lifestyle, the more engagement there is from parents and previous smokers, the easier it will be to create a truly smoke-free generation. In short, smoking trends have decreased significantly over the decades, and it’s mostly due to people like you who want to make a difference in someone’s life. 

Create an Online COPD Group

In this day and age, it’s easier than ever before to stay connected to the outside world. With social media sites like Facebook and online COPD communities like COPD360Social made by the COPD Foundation, you can be connected with thousands of other COPD patients around the world in a matter of minutes. As long as you use discretion when you read something, this can be an incredibly powerful tool for helping you understand your disease and learn about possible treatment options that you may not have heard of otherwise.

If you can’t find the right community for you, however, COPD awareness month may be the perfect time to start your own online COPD community. This is a great idea if you have a close group of friends with COPD who want to stay connected despite the pandemic we’re currently facing. You’ll also have the option of keeping the group closed or open, allowing people all over the world to join in on your conversations about COPD. Keep in mind that your social media group doesn’t have to focus on COPD. You could also discuss things that keep your mind off of your disease and the current state of the world.

Reevaluate Your Short- and Long-Term Goals

Goal planning is extremely important if you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or any other type of respiratory impairment. Long-term goals focus on broad accomplishments such as smoking cessation, exercise goals, and diet goals, whereas short-term goals are like baby steps that you will use to achieve your long-term goals. Being faced with a COPD diagnosis often means drastically altering your goals as well as changing your outlook on life. 

Since COPD awareness month comes around once a year, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your goals and make sure that you’re on track to meet them. COPD plans are oftentimes confusing and multifaceted, so it’s best to assume that you can always make improvements to it. For example, if you’ve already drastically changed your diet think about other ways to benefit from your diet like eating smaller meals throughout the day, creating a meal plan so that you are more consistent with your diet, or contacting your doctor to see if there are any additional changes you can make. Ultimately, you don’t want to feel overwhelmed by your treatment plan, but you also want to always feel like you have something to work towards.

Participate in a Clinical Trial Program

A clinical trial is a research project aimed at determining the safety and efficacy of a particular medicine or medical procedure. Clinical trials are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and they’re divided into four different phases. Phase one clinical trials typically test the safety of a drug or medical procedure and phase two clinical trials are focused on their efficacy. Phase three tests the drug in diverse populations and in different dosages or in combination with other drugs. Last but not least, phase four trials are aimed at monitoring drugs after they’ve already been approved for the market.

There are many reasons to participate in clinical trials this COPD awareness month, but the main reason is that it helps researchers learn more about the lungs and how to treat chronic illnesses like COPD. In order to learn more about COPD and how to treat it, researchers need people of all backgrounds to test their medication. By doing this, they are able to understand who might benefit from it in the future and who should avoid it due to negative side-effects.

Another reason you may want to participate in a clinical trial is because it affords you the opportunity to use COPD medication that is not available to most people. You’ll also be happy to know that most clinical trials are free to participate in and you may even get paid for the time you put into it. Before offering you any type of medication, clinical trial organizations are required to perform a medical examination to ensure there isn’t a high risk of harm, so you can rest assured that clinical trials are safe. To learn more about clinical trials in your area, visit clinicaltrials.gov. 

Take Up a New Hobby

Hobbies are the meaningful tasks that we use to fill our day-to-day life. They’re separate from our life-long goals and aspirations, but they can also be a significant part of who we are and what our purpose is in life. A hobby can be something as simple as doing a crossword puzzle or something more complex and involved like scrapbooking or playing music. Unfortunately, many COPD patients define themselves by their disease rather than by the things that are important to them. This is why COPD awareness month is a great time to pick up a new hobby and discover something that’s important to you.

One of the biggest issues facing the COPD community is anxiety and depression, so it’s best to find a hobby that combats these issues. According to Healthline, one of the best ways to prevent depression is through exercise so if you can find a hobby that gets you up and moving, it’s likely to keep you happy and healthy. Since your COPD treatment plan already requires you to perform pulmonary rehabilitation it might be worth it to find a way to combine your hobbies and your exercise routine. Hobbies like reading or playing games are also great because they keep your mind engaged and prevent your thoughts from wondering.  

Raise Awareness for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

It’s so easy to get caught up in conversations about smoking and air pollution and forget about the primary genetic cause of COPD: Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AAT deficiency). Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a type of protein that’s created by the liver. Its job is to protect the lungs from inflammation. When this protein is distributed in low quantities it can make the patient more susceptible to lung damage from smoking, air pollution, and lung infection. Alpha-1 deficiency is known to contribute the pathogenesis of lung disease in people who have never smoked and have lived otherwise healthy lives.

Alpha-1 deficiency is genetic, meaning it’s inherited from the parents and it does not appear in offspring unless both parents have this trait. As a result, alpha-1 deficiency is a fairly rare condition, affecting about 100,000 people in the United States. Alpha-1 deficiency is more common in people of European descent and less common in people of Asian descent. If Alpha-1 deficiency results in the liver retaining this protein, it can also lead to the development of scar tissue in the liver.

While alpha-1 deficiency only causes about 3 percent of COPD cases, it’s still an important risk factor to know about. Many people with alpha-1 deficiency are undiagnosed and resulting lung damage is often misdiagnosed as asthma. So, the more aware the general population is of this rare disease, the more likely it can be treated before doing severe damage to the respiratory system. Read our blog post about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and share it with a friend if they would benefit from it.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, contrary to its prominence in the United States, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffers from severe underrepresentation and lack of awareness among the general population. This is due to several reasons. First and foremost, the majority of people who smoke never contract COPD. Rather, smokers are more likely to contract other illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, all of which can detract from the national conversation about chronic bronchitis and emphysema. 

Another reason there is a lack of awareness around COPD is that it shares the same awareness month as lung cancer. While it’s certainly important for COPD patients to understand their high risk of contracting lung cancer, it’s also important to remember that COPD is a silent disease in many ways since it is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Helping people to understand that COPD and lung cancer are two different diseases may help shed more light on the unique problems associated with each.

Ultimately, COPD awareness month is a month that should be observed by everyone, regardless of whether or not you have COPD or you know someone who has COPD. Take some of the aforementioned tips into consideration as you plan for the weeks ahead and be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions or concerns.   

Headaches are a problem that we all deal with whether we’re young or old; healthy or not. A mild headache can detract from our daily life causing us to feel distracted, unmotivated, or restless. But at their worst, headaches can leave us completely unable to function in our daily lives. Many COPD patients may find themselves somewhere in between. You might get headaches periodically with varying degrees of severity, and experience periods of relief.

If you’ve noticed that you experience more headaches or more severe headaches since contracting COPD, the two conditions are most likely linked. In other words, focusing on treating your underlying COPD symptoms may help you to manage or completely eliminate your headaches as well.

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In the following article, we’ll take a look at some important steps you should take to treat headaches if you have COPD. As usual, if your headaches persist or you believe they may be caused by some other health issue, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the potential cause.

How COPD Causes Headaches

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of lung diseases that cause difficulty breathing. It’s called an “obstructive” disease because it makes it more difficult for a patient to expel air from the lungs. Diseases that make it more difficult for patients to inspire air are called “restrictive” because they’re caused by lungs that are unable to expand completely.

Your lungs have two functions: to bring in oxygen-rich air and to remove carbon dioxide-rich air. If one of these functions is out of balance, it can lead to a lot of problems. For example, hypoxia can occur when your blood has low oxygen levels. Over time, this can lead to severe symptoms, because your tissues are being deprived of a basic component that they need to function.

Another problem that can result from a chronic lung disease like COPD is hypercapnia. This is a condition that happens when you retain too much carbon dioxide. Having too much carbon dioxide in the blood can lead to similar symptoms as hypoxia by damaging organs and slowing the rate at which oxygen gets to your body’s tissues.

The most common cause of headaches in COPD patients is a low blood oxygen level due to either hypoxia or hypercapnia. While the brain only makes up about 2 percent of your body’s weight, it receives 15 to 20 percent of the body’s blood supply. As such, you’re likely to experience a headache due to low blood oxygen levels before any other symptom. 

Many COPD patients experience headaches in the morning after waking up and this is likely due to sleeping problems such as sleep apnea which can be exacerbated by a chronic lung condition. When these two conditions occur together simultaneously, it’s called COPD-OSA overlap syndrome. If you have overlap syndrome, your doctor will likely prescribe both supplemental oxygen and CPAP or BiPAP therapy to help you sleep better at night.

Focus on Your COPD Treatment Plan

A COPD treatment plan is a set of steps you take to treat the underlying symptoms of COPD. Most doctors will recommend some combination of supplemental oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, an improved diet, and a revised sleep schedule. However, depending on the severity of your COPD and whether or not you have comorbidities may affect how you should be treating your disease.

The reason that you should start with your treatment plan is that it will rule out COPD as the cause of your headaches. If you’re doing everything that you should be doing to manage your respiratory health and you’re still experiencing headaches regularly, it’s safe to say that there is something else causing the issue. On the other hand, if you’re experiencing headaches in the morning, they could be due to a drop in blood oxygen levels at night. In this case, you may need to talk to your doctor about having a sleep test done.

Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

The vast majority of people with COPD are prescribed supplemental oxygen. Some people are only required to use it several hours a day or as needed when blood oxygen levels are low. However, a large number of COPD patients need to use oxygen for 16 hours or more each day. Unfortunately, some people find themselves either falling back on the supplemental oxygen plan their doctor set for them or they are unknowingly using their oxygen device incorrectly.

Oxygen tanks have been the industry standard for oxygen therapy for a long time. But they don’t meet the needs of every oxygen patient because they’re heavy and bulky. As a result, oxygen tank users frequently feel like they aren’t able to get where they need to go without help from a friend or loved one. Carrying around a heavy oxygen tank can also lead to breathlessness, low blood oxygen levels, and thus headaches, so it may be worth it to look for a different oxygen therapy device.

Portable oxygen concentrators offer a much more convenient way to use oxygen. Since they’re both small and lightweight, they help you ensure that your oxygen needs are met wherever you go. POCs are battery-powered, so you’ll never find yourself where you run out of oxygen. Simply plug it into any car or wall outlet and you can continue using it and charging your batteries.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a fancy way of saying exercise that’s focused on your lung health. Pulmonary rehab is a supervised program meaning you will work with a medical expert who will show you the proper way to exercise if you have impaired lung function. However, once you know how to exercise correctly, you can perform pulmonary rehabilitation in the comfort of your own home.

The reason pulmonary rehab is so important in preventing headaches is that a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture can make you more susceptible to headaches. Consistent moderate exercise is one of the best remedies for headaches because it keeps blood flowing to the brain and the rest of the body. Exercise also helps you improve your posture which is another thing that can affect your body’s circulation.

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Healthy Diet

Your diet plays an immense role in your body’s ability to ward off headaches. According to migrainetrust.org, skipping meals, dieting, eating high-sugar foods, and fasting can all contribute to or cause headaches. What’s more, according to COPD News Today, studies suggest that inflammation caused by COPD can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. This condition is known for causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and as a result, headaches.

As a COPD patient, your diet should be strictly regulated. First and foremost, you should be eating smaller meals throughout the day rather than one or two big meals. Your body may struggle to digest larger meals, so the more you can spread out your meals, the better. Secondly, you need to be eating the right types of foods. COPD patients need food that is high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats, but low in added sugar and salt, as well as highly processed or fried foods. This will ensure that your lungs remain healthy and strong and you don’t have any bouts of hunger or energy loss that could lead to headaches.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking is likely one of the most common causes of headaches in COPD patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38% of COPD patients are current smokers. While smoking temporarily alleviates stress, anxiety, and headaches, the withdrawals you experience after the fact can be particularly painful. According to WebMD, insomnia, cravings, and headaches due to nicotine withdrawal typically begin 3 to 5 days after you last smoked. If you’re trying to quit smoking but keep falling back on your plans, this could be why you’re experiencing headaches.

Avoid COPD Triggers

A COPD trigger is anything that can cause a flareup in your COPD symptoms. Some common COPD triggers include cigarette smoke, car exhaust, indoor cleaners, dust, pollen, and more. COPD triggers can cause your airways to constrict, increase inflammation in the lungs, and increase the production of mucus, all of which make it more difficult to breathe. Additionally, COPD exacerbations can lead to a high degree of stress and anxiety, all of which can contribute to headaches.

Ideally, you should be conscious of the quality of air that you are breathing throughout the day. When you’re indoors, make sure you are not exposed to dust, mold, or toxic cleaning supplies. And before going outside, be sure to check the air quality index to make sure the air is clean enough for someone with a chronic respiratory illness. Also, be sure to have a plan for dealing with flare-ups and exacerbations.  

Drink Lots of Water

According to the H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry, the heart and brain are composed of 73% water and the lungs are composed of 83 percent water. What this means is that depriving your body of water doesn’t just prevent your brain from getting the water it needs, but it also makes it more difficult for your heart and lungs to bring oxygen-rich blood to your brain. While every tissue in your body needs water, your brain needs it most of all. 

COPD Medications

The medications that you take for COPD can be both the cause of, and the cure for your headaches. Generally speaking, taking medication as it’s prescribed by your doctor will help stabilize your blood oxygen level and mitigate the chance that you will experience an exacerbation or other COPD-related complication. However, some COPD medications have “headaches” listed as a side-effect, so this isn’t something you should rule out.

Fast-acting bronchodilators (also known as rescue inhalers) are an important part of any COPD treatment plan. They include drugs like albuterol, albuterol sulfate, and levalbuterol, and they’re responsible for quickly alleviating COPD symptoms like chest tightness and excess mucus production. However, fast-acting bronchodilators are also known for having a lot of side-effects like headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Be Careful With Pain-Relief Medications

Unfortunately, most discussions around COPD are focused on alleviating the symptoms of the disease and less on alleviating pain that’s associated with those symptoms. While pain medication can be used safely and effectively in COPD patients, it should not be seen as a cure-all or something that’s used on a daily basis. What’s more, you have to be careful about what pain relievers you’re using and how they will interact with your COPD medications.

Consult Your Doctor

While you can continue to research the potential cause of your headaches, the best way to deal with this problem as quickly as possible is to consult your doctor. While it may seem like a hassle to go to the doctor just to ask about your headaches, there could be a very simple solution to your problem or there may be a more serious underlying problem that your doctor needs to know about. Be sure to write down the following information before you schedule an appointment:

• The frequency and severity of your headaches
• What time of day or night your headaches occur
• The location on your head that you feel the most pain
• What foods you’re eating each day
• How much water you’re consuming daily
• What your sleep schedule is like
• Any additional medication you’re taking (that wasn’t prescribed by your doctor)

Conclusion

Headaches are not an uncommon side-effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Likely one of the first symptoms you will experience if your blood oxygen levels are low is a headache. But there’s also a chance that the pain you’re experiencing is completely unrelated to your respiratory condition. 

Start by trying a few of the tips listed above and if they don’t work, be sure to consult your doctor. While there may be a simple solution to your headache problem, they could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so it’s best to speak with your doctor sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for a new mobile oxygen machine to manage your respiratory condition, feel free to browse our portable oxygen concentrators here at LPT Medical. We offer all of the most popular and reliable units including but not limited to the Caire FreeStyle Comfort and the Inogen One G5. Both of which weigh under 5 pounds and offer outstanding battery life to keep you out and about for longer. Speak with one of our respiratory specialists to learn more.

Most people don’t put a lot of thought into the way that they get around. As humans, we learn to walk from a very young age and we use our basic motor skills all the time. So, for most people, it’s difficult to imagine being in a situation where these basic functions are impaired. However, for someone with COPD, problems with mobility, balance, and coordination can be a daily struggle. Healthy, functioning lungs are essential for physical exertion, no matter how little it may be.

A study on pubmed.gov followed COPD patients over the course of six months and found that about one-third of them experienced a fall at some point. The same study also states that COPD is one of the chronic conditions with the highest fall rates, right behind osteoarthritis, a very common degenerative joint disease that’s caused by the wearing down of cartilage on the bones.  

Unfortunately, the high risk of falls in COPD patients is very much an under-discussed topic. That’s why, in this article, we’ll take a look at the main causes of falls and how you can avoid them. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

What Causes Balance Issues in COPD Patients?

COPD balance and coordination issues aren’t limited to one cause. There are many different factors that need to be considered in order to pinpoint and mitigate your risk of experiencing a fall. Comorbidities, age, COPD stage, and environmental factors can all play a role, so it’s important to be open-minded about possible prevention methods.

Low Blood Oxygen Levels

Oxygen is a vital resource for your body. It’s used to break down stored energy that you get from food and convert it into usable energy for every cell in your body. Since COPD patients have impaired lung function due to excessive inflammation, medical oxygen can be used to lessen the load on the lungs and ensure that your blood oxygen levels stay within a normal range. Contrary to what many people believe, there are no “side-effects” of medical oxygen. As long as you’re using it as prescribed, medical oxygen will only benefit you.

When it comes time to buy an oxygen device, you’ll have several options. Oxygen tanks, liquid oxygen tanks, and oxygen concentrators are all popular options. However, portable oxygen concentrators will be the best option for most oxygen patients because they’re lightweight, small, and easy to carry as you go about your day. The Inogen One G5 and Caire FreeStyle Comfort, for example, are two of the most popular options because they have a high oxygen output, and they both weigh under 5 pounds.

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Another great option if you have higher oxygen demands is the Respironics SimplyGo. This is the lightest continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator and it offers up to 2 liters per minute (LPM) of oxygen. The Respironics SimplyGo can either be carried on your shoulder with the adjustable strap, or it can be wheeled behind you using the rolling cart. Be sure to speak with one of our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical to learn which portable oxygen concentrator is right for you.

Peripheral Edema

"Edema” is a term that refers to swelling, usually due to the buildup of fluid. Peripheral edema occurs when fluid begins to accumulate in an extremity away from the heart such as the hands, feet, or legs. While this condition can happen to anyone, it’s more common among COPD patients and it can be a warning sign of several serious medical conditions including pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) and cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure).

Another problem that can be caused by edema is problems with balance and coordination. This condition often develops slowly and without the patient knowing, so you might start losing control of your balance without knowing it as well. Oftentimes, people first notice that there’s a problem when their shoes or clothing don’t fit anymore. In order to avoid this situation, check your legs and feet daily for swelling, redness, or pitting. This is when you press your skin and it leaves an indentation. 

Malnutrition

COPD patients are more likely to experience malnutrition than the general public. There are many possible reasons for this, but a loss of appetite, changing food preferences, and problems with digestion are among the most common causes. COPD patients often find themselves in a difficult situation where they’re hungry but aren’t in the mood to eat because it can leave them feeling bloated and exhausted.

One significant concern is something called muscle atrophy (muscle wasting). Many people are under the impression that they’re losing fat, but it’s actually muscle weight that they’re losing. Inevitably, this can lead to problems with balance, coordination, and exercise tolerance. This is why it’s so important for COPD patients to consume enough protein. Today’s Dietician recommends you get at least 20 percent of your calories from protein.

Medication Side-Effects

Every medication has side-effects, including those used to treat COPD. One of the most common inhaled COPD medications, bronchodilators, are used to open up the airways helping you to breathe easier. However, bronchodilators have a number of adverse side-effects including but not limited to trembling, muscle cramps, and nausea, all of which can contribute to balance problems and even result in serious falls.

Just like with oxygen, it’s important to use medication only as it’s prescribed by your doctor. What’s more, you should be cautious about the way you use it. For example, if you’re using a bronchodilator, try sitting down beforehand. This way, if you start feeling dizzy or lightheaded, you won’t run the risk of falling down. Bronchodilators are fast-acting, so if you feel okay after a couple of minutes, you can stand up and go about your business.

Corticosteroids are another popular medication used to treat COPD. These are a type of steroid that is used for the long-term treatment of COPD and asthma, and they help to reduce inflammation and tightening in the airways and lungs. However, corticosteroids used in large doses can contribute to bone deterioration and the development of osteoporosis. This condition not only increases your risk of falls, but it also increases your risk of experiencing bone fractures after falling.  

Sedentary Lifestyle

Living a “sedentary lifestyle” means not getting up and moving around very often. Many people become more sedentary the older they get and developing a chronic condition like COPD can cause someone to become sedentary as well. The problem with this is that it can lead to a lot of health issues, one of which is an increased likelihood of experiencing a fall. This study found that physical activity is associated with better balance and slowing the rate of physical deterioration in older adults.

Environmental Factors

All of the issues above are caused by the symptoms of COPD and COPD treatment. But you also need to consider how your environment is contributing to your risk of falls. Living in a home that is cluttered or not designed to accommodate someone with a chronic respiratory disease can put you at a higher risk of falling.

Since it’s winter, there are also environmental factors related to the weather. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 56 percent of all falls occur outside the home such as in the yard, on the sidewalk, or in a public area. So before you go anywhere, you should consider what obstacles will be presented and how you can navigate them safely without experiencing a fall. 

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What Can Be Done to Prevent Falls With COPD?

Although falls are very common in COPD patients, the good news is that they’re highly preventable. Just a few small adjustments to your lifestyle could make a huge difference but you need to know what’s causing them in the first place. 

Carry a Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a small electronic device that slips over your finger and tells you your blood oxygen levels. It is a non-invasive device, meaning you won’t need to draw blood in order to use it. It works by passing light through your finger and calculating your blood oxygen levels based on the amount of light that’s absorbed by oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. Pulse oximeters are lightweight and portable medical devices.

The reason it’s so important to have a pulse oximeter is to be able to check your blood oxygen levels and heart rate, especially when you’re away from home. Just a quick pulse oximeter reading and you’ll know exactly what adjustments you need to make to your oxygen therapy device. Pulse oximeters are usually recommended over arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) because they’re less intrusive and you receive your results almost instantaneously. The quality of the device matters too, so be sure to spend some time looking for a pulse oximeter with good reviews. 

ABG analysis and pulse oximetry also differ in terms of the information they provide. While a pulse oximeter just reads the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is saturated with oxygen (SpO2), ABG tests will provide you with a whole host of information including blood alkalinity, the partial pressure of CO2 and oxygen (PaCO2 and PaO2), and much more. This information is useful for other reasons, but it’s not necessary if you’re just trying to maintain your blood oxygen levels.

Carry a Medical Alert System

A medical alert system or personal emergency response system (PERS) is a small device that’s worn around your neck or on your wrist. If you ever experience an emergency like a fall or a COPD exacerbation, simply press the button on the device and a notification will be sent to a 24/7 call center. Once the notification is received they will call 911 and emergency medical personnel will be sent to your home immediately.

Adjust Your Eating Habits

As aforementioned, many COPD patients are underweight. As respiratory symptoms get worse, many people find it difficult to eat a full meal without feeling bloated and tired. One of the best ways to deal with this is to spread your meals throughout the day rather than having one or two bigger meals. This will give your body lots of time to digest rather than having to do it all at once.

Another reason to spread your meals out is that it helps you avoid the temptation to eat unhealthy foods. When you’re feeling hungry and lacking energy, you’re more likely to give in to foods that will provide you with a quick energy boost. These foods are usually high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients which can exacerbate COPD symptoms and leave you feeling drained.

Get Active

Many people are under the impression that the sole purpose of pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve lung function. And while that may be the most important reason, it’s not the only reason. Even a moderate form of exercise can provide some major benefits as long as it’s done consistently. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise helps prevent a whole host of health problems, including but not limited to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression, and heart disease. 

Another reason for COPD patients to exercise is that it increases their muscle tone, thus increasing their oxygen efficiency. As a COPD patient, you want every muscle in your body to be strong not only to improve balance and posture but to reduce the amount of oxygen required for getting around. Exercise also improves blood circulation which is very important for maintaining your mobility.

Create a Safe Living Space

No matter whether you live alone or with friends or family, making adjustments to your living space can go a long way towards preventing falls. Keeping your home organized and free of debris will give you fewer obstacles to trip over or navigate around as you go about your daily life. Many falls occur in the bathroom, so that might be the best place to start with. Another way to create a safe living space is to install mobility aids such as hand railings, stairlifts, or ramps.  

Address Your Concerns With Your Doctor

Anxiety is associated with an increased risk of falls, so if you have concerns about balance or coordination issues caused by COPD or your COPD treatment plan, you should address them with your doctor immediately. Chances are, the feelings you’re experiencing are perfectly normal and your doctor might be able to make changes to your medication, exercise, or diet plan in order to improve your balance. As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a “stupid question” especially when your health is concerned. 

Conclusion

Although COPD is a leading morbidity in the United States, many people are not fully aware of what it’s like to live with this disease. Balance and coordination issues are pervasive among COPD patients and they become more prevalent with age and as the disease progresses. The tips outlined above will help you mitigate the risks of falls.

Here at LPT medical, we want you to be educated about your disease so that you can make the best decisions for your long-term health. We carry a wide range of portable oxygen concentrators from popular brands like Caire Inc., Inogen, and Respironics. And we take pride in providing oxygen patients all over the country with reliable lightweight devices that help them get around more easily while limiting the risk of a fall.

If you’re interested in our portable oxygen concentrators for sale, please reach out to us either by phone or by email. 

LPT Medical is luckily enough to occupy a small office located halfway between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, in Boca Raton, Florida. This area provides a surprising amount of nature trails and walkways to explore, and not to mention stretches of glorious beaches. If you are a Boca Raton resident or a nearby city on Florida’s southeastern coast we wrote this blog for folks who are looking to get outdoors and go for walks more often. 

LPT Medical is an oxygen supply company in Boca Raton, Florida. We are interested in providing oxygen patients with valuable information they can use to better manage their respiratory disease and take advantage of oxygen therapy benefits. This article is all about treating respiratory illness through exercise and specifically walking. Walking is the single most important and accessible form of exercise oxygen patients can add to their daily routine to improve their lung strength and health overall. 

Daily walks are a great goal to set for yourself if you struggle with a respiratory disease, the challenging part is getting started and knowing where to go! The other challenging aspect of walking, is having the right oxygen equipment that can hep make exercise and walking more accessible.

Therefore, we would first like to discuss how oxygen patients can walk with more ease and comfort.

Exercising With Supplemental Oxygen Therapy

Exercise is a critical part of treating any respiratory disease, no matter how severe or minor. Oxygen patients are normally at the point in their disease where their blood oxygen levels are consistently low enough that supplemental oxygen is prescribed to them in order to boost their oxygen levels to a healthier rate.

This all might sound counterintuitive because exercise can make you short of breath, and this is something that we try to avoid as oxygen patients. However, exercise strengthens your muscles and lungs, thereby expanding your lung’s capacity to work better in conjunction with your supplemental oxygen.

Having the right oxygen equipment can make walking and exercise in general more attainable, and even enjoyable.

Many oxygen users explain how bulky and cumbersome liquid and gas oxygen tanks are. Lugging around an oxygen tank while you do simple tasks like getting the mail or cleaning up your home becomes nearly impossible, and nothing sounds worse than exercise.

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So while portable oxygen concentrators and liquid and gas tanks all have the same main function; to give your body the oxygen it needs to maintain a healthier blood oxygen level, oxygen methods will have very different effects on your daily life. For instance, having a portable oxygen concentrator will not only fuel your body with the oxygen it is lacking, but it will also give you the mobility and freedom to exercise, run errands, and so much more. 

This is because pulse flow devices are normally very lightweight, for example, the Caire Freestyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator only weighs 5 pounds. Portable oxygen concentrators also never run out of oxygen as a tank would, because they run off of battery power, and they simply need to be recharged. Devices like the Inogen One G3 can last for up to 8 hours before it needs to be plugged in. Having a device that will not run out of oxygen gives you the freedom to exercise and go for walks worry free. 

Some concentrators like the Respironics SimplyGo can operate within pulse flow and continuous flow settings, no matter what your oxygen prescription is, there is likely a device that can take care of your needs while you rest and while you exercise.

As you can see, there are numerous reasons why your oxygen equipment can either help you or hold you back, especially when it comes down to something like exercise. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of owning a portable oxygen concentrator please read our other blog by clicking here. 

If you would like to speak with a respiratory specialist about portable oxygen concentrator costs, and more information, call 1(800)-946-1201 or email info@lptmedical.com 

If you are an oxygen patient or simply enjoy going for walks in the Boca Raton area, continue reading to learn about some of the best places to walk around your neighborhood. 

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center 

One of the best places to walk in Boca Raton is in the large oceanfront Red Reef Park, home to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center with trails, a butterfly garden, and a sea turtle sanctuary.

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a beautiful half mile-round trip walk through the Coastal Hammock Forest. Walking a half mile may be too much for some oxygen patients, but remember, you can slowly work your way up to walking these longer distances. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited capacity and closed down the north trails within the Gumbo Limbo Nature center, and parking lots remain closed in response to the Coronavirus pandemic until further notice. But there are still plenty of options to walk around and enjoy the beautiful terrain and explore very nice natural environments within the park. You can check out gumbolimbo.org and myboca.us for more information regarding closures and COVID-19 policies and protocols. 

Downtown, Boca Raton

A simple walk downtown in Boca Raton can be lovely. You can opt to enjoy time inside while walking through the Boca Raton Museum of Art, a modern and contemporary American and European collection. Walking indoors is a great way to get in your exercise for the day if there is rain, wind, or other unfavorable weather. 

You can also walk down streets in your local neighborhood, but if you easily tire of the same scenery, a trip downtown can be an easy way to change it up! Walking along a sidewalk in downtown is a great option for oxygen patients because it is flat, paved, and there are not many hills.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

At the edge of Boynton Beach lies Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge a 145,000 acre buffer between suburbia and the Everglades. This is a beautiful area to get outside and enjoy the natural Southeastern Florida landscapes and wildlife.

Here, you can walk, attend events, fish, look at the wildlife, and even go boating. Pets are welcome, so if you have an animal that you like to take on walks, this is a special spot you can take a trip to enjoy the new scenery.

Daggerwing Nature Center 

Behind Daggerwing Nature Center in the busy South County Regional Park, lies an accessible boardwalk trail which leads you into a small area of tropical habitat with ancient trees. This is a great way to experience a walk through a very old jungle.

If you are interested in ecology, the boardwalk brings you into a wetlands area where you will enter a dark hammock thick with a multitude of different tropical tree species. After passing a spur, the trail leads to an observation tower that overlooks the beautiful canopy. If you make it up the tower, you can stand high above the forest floor for a great up-close view of the canopy. 

Sugar Sand Park 

In Boca Raton, the urbanized trails at Sugar Sand Park are great for all ages and oxygen patients. From the nature center to the playground the area is surrounded by coastal shrubbery and pine flatwoods, but the paths are paved and great for wheeling you oxygen equipment around behind you.

If you want to get on one of the nature trails, there is the Sand Pine nature trail and The Slash Pine nature trail. Neither of these trails are paved, but the trails are flat and wide enough to bring oxygen equipment with you!

Doris Davis Foreman Wilderness 

The Doris Davis Foreman Wilderness Preserve is a half mile loop through a lovely patch of tropical bustle in the center of suburban Parkland in Broward County. 

This designated area of forest offers public access to all of the site's amenities, the area is designed to be accessible for all to marvel in its beauty! There is a 5 ft. wide by 900 ft. long pedestrian trail traveling through pine woods and a 1,550 ft. boardwalk that winds gently through cypress wetlands and past a breathtaking oak hammock. There are two seating and observation areas along the path with a pavilion area located along the trail for a nice spot to take a break.

Overview 

If these nature trails do not get you excited to go out and walk, you might try walking on the beach. If you are able to carry your portable oxygen concentrator over your shoulder in its custom carrying case or via your portable oxygen concentrator backpack in order to avoid getting sand in the device, a nice walk along the boardwalk or even in the sand is a great way to get the exercise your body needs.

If you don't live anywhere near Boca Raton, you can try to Google search some areas within your city with nature paths or pedestrian walkways. If there are not a lot of trails where you live, If you like to golf, you can try to walk some of the green rather than using a golf cart the entire time. 

Simply walking is so great for oxygen patients, because even with the supplemental oxygen therapy, your body still needs exercise in order to maintain and improve its strength. Oxygen therapy simply gives you the energy you need to exercise comfortably, and having the best oxygen equipment is giving you the tools to be able to exercise without getting weighed down.