Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of diseases that cause breathing-related problems and air-blockage issues — including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Seeing a loved one struggle with COPD can be tough, leaving you wondering how you might help them better manage the condition. Learn more about the support you can offer.
Help Them Break Their Smoking Habits
Many people with COPD developed the condition as a result of tobacco smoking. If your loved one smokes, encourage them to stop so that the disease can halt its progression. Remember that there are many ways to quit smoking, such as:
- Patches
- Therapy
- Support groups
You can help your loved one choose the right method for them. And if you smoke, it can be supportive to stop, too.
Maintain Indoor Air as Clean as Possible
Irritants in the air can worsen COPD symptoms. For that reason, doing what you can to reduce them can be a great help. If you participate in the cleaning of your loved one’s space, avoid products that have very strong fragrances, and make sure to skip air fresheners or plug-ins.
Go With Them to the Doctor
If they don’t object to having someone with them, offer to go to the doctor when they have an appointment. Any illness can make you feel disconnected from others, so knowing there’s someone with you can make a difference.
Learn the Signs of a Flare-Up
Your loved one may not always want to tell you when they’re not feeling their best to avoid burdening you. By learning what the signs of someone in COPD distress are, you can offer help without requiring them to tell you they need it.
Provide the Support Your Loved One with COPD Needs
More than anything, your loved one will likely need your support as they manage the disease. For many, just being with them is enough.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide acces/autois to Regenerative Medicine for hair, also Stem cell therapy for COPD. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.