Unplug From Electronicsīuild in a 30- to 60-minute device-free buffer before bed. If you absolutely need a nap, keep it short - no longer than 30 minutes - and avoid napping in the late afternoon.Ī short nap can restore energy, but a long or late nap can keep you awake at night and worsen the cycle of poor sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness, notes the Sleep Foundation. According to a review published in May 2018 in the journal Chest, simple behavioral changes including proper positioning (to take pressure off the esophagus and allow gravity to keep acid down) can improve nighttime GERD symptoms, as well as sleep quality. Known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD), this condition is common in people with COPD. Slightly elevating your head also helps prevent acid reflux (when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus) from waking you up at night. Han, MD, a professor of medicine in the division of pulmonary and critical care at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a spokesperson for the American Lung Association. The condition cannot be cured or reversed, but for many people, treatment can help keep it under control so it does not severely limit their daily activities.īut in some people, COPD may continue to get worse despite treatment, eventually having a significant impact on their quality of life and leading to life-threatening problems.Sleeping in a slightly upright position will take some stress off your lungs, says MeiLan K. The outlook for COPD varies from person to person. surgery or a lung transplant – although this is only an option for a very small number of peopleįind out more about how COPD is treated and living with COPD.pulmonary rehabilitation – a specialised programme of exercise and education.inhalers and medicines – to help make breathing easier.stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do.The damage to the lungs caused by COPD is permanent, but treatment can help slow down the progression of the condition. Others are the result of a rare genetic problem that makes the lungs more vulnerable to damage.įind out more about the causes of COPD. Some cases of COPD are caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust. The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you've smoked. The main cause is smoking, although the condition can sometimes affect people who have never smoked. Causes of COPDĬOPD happens when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. They can organise a breathing test to help diagnose COPD and rule out other lung conditions, such as asthma.įind out more about how COPD is diagnosed. The GP will ask about your symptoms and whether you smoke or have smoked in the past. If they're caused by COPD, it's best to start treatment as soon as possible, before your lungs become significantly damaged. See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke.ĭo not ignore the symptoms. Without treatment, the symptoms usually get progressively worse. There may also be periods when they get suddenly worse, known as a flare-up or exacerbation.įind out more about the symptoms of COPD.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |