Fall and winter are two beautiful seasons to experience each year. From the beautiful fall colors on the leaves of trees, to the fun and creative holiday decorations every year, this time of year is truly a sight to see. But as beautiful and visibly pleasing as it may seem, health wise, this time of year can be extremely difficult for many.
With the changes of the seasons comes the changes in the air quality, which can cause people a lot of suffering. Specifically people who suffer from illnesses such as asthma or respiratory disorders.
Another disease that can be triggered by the change of seasons is COPD. Since it’s impossible to make the disease disappear, let's discuss how to deal with it during these cold fall and winter months.
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What Causes a COPD Flare Up
COPD is chronic inflammatory lung disease that blocks airflow from the lungs. Having COPD will cause difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing (more extreme than a normal cough) and mucus build up.
There are a few things that can cause a person suffering with COPD to have a flare up. One is tobacco smoke, which actually is one of the main causes for COPD.
A tobacco smoker is subjected to being diagnosed with COPD at a higher rate than someone who is not a tobacco smoker. Seeing how smoking is a main cause of having this disease, it’s also a trigger to a flare up.
Another trigger that can cause flare ups is polluted air. Unfortunately this is a trigger that can not be avoided because of the world we live in today and different people all over experience different types of air pollution. So how do you help yourself or a loved one when they’re having a flare up? What can be done to prevent flare ups?
4 Essential Household Items For Someone With COPD
Easy ways to prevent COPD exacerbations can be done with simple things in your household.
- A Vacuum: Dust can trigger anyone to have a cough attack and it can be even worse for someone with this disease. Keeping a vacuum to rid of the dust in your household can help you out a lot more than you may think.
- Oil Diffuser: Using essential oils can help open up your airways and clear any mucus that forms in the lungs. A great essential oil to use in an oil diffuser to help with COPD (or other conditions) is eucalyptus oil, which is great for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Air Purifiers: Having an air purifier in your home will help clean the air regularly and prevent the growth of mold and mildew that is harmful to one's health.
- Windows: It may sound funny but opening up the windows in your home or even slightly cracking them, will increase your home's airflow, which is needed when suffering from COPD.
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How to Manage Your Flare Ups
Exacerbations otherwise known as COPD flare ups are different for everyone who suffers from it. Why? Because this disease can cause other health issues such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema and regardless things affect people differently.
Of course common symptoms of COPD are extreme coughing and wheezing, difficulty breathing and more but as stated previously, people react differently.
Managing flare ups can be simple. By looking at the 4 household items above and incorporating them into your daily or weekly routine, you’ll be one step ahead of your flare up.
- Vacuuming at least twice a week will keep the dust out.
- Even if you don’t have an oil diffuser, put about 12 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a pot of boiling water and take deep breaths while inhaling it.
- Try incorporating breathing exercises to your daily routine morning and night. This will help improve the muscles you use to take breaths.
- Make sure you discuss your symptoms thoroughly with your doctor. Being as detailed as you possibly can about what you’re experiencing with your flare ups will only benefit you in the end. It will allow your doctor to help you better and find better treatment.
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What You Need to Know to Prevent Future Flare Ups and Attacks
Unfortunately COPD is not a curable disease but it can be prevented.
On top of the suggestions above, if you’re an advent tobacco smoker, quitting will help lower your risk of getting COPD and stop flare ups from happening.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regularly speaking to your doctor about your symptoms, staying on your treatment plan and avoiding common triggers will also help prevent exacerbations from happening and causing more damage to your respiratory system.
