iI have a Friend who is suffering from that,can someone help,please,and have some idees to make it easier.
2006-10-29 13:50:07 · 14 answers · asked by karl s 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
I have COPD and every day is different. There is no rhyme or reason why some days are better than others and you never know how you are going to feel. There are days I cannot get out of bed. There are days I feel great.
I am on oxygen 24/7. I use inhalers and a nebulizer plus other medications on a daily basis. I quit smoking and drinking alcohol. It has been a difficult battle for me but it had to be done or die.
I do know I could not do half the things that one answer suggested. If I went into a steambath, sauna or hot tub, I would die. I would not be able to breathe. I also have high blood pressure. It is under control by medication, but the steam can cause havoc with both my problems. When I take a shower I have to have the overhead exhaust fan running and the bathroom door open or I cannot breathe and go into panic mode. It is terrible.
Aromatherapy would kill me. I can't stand any perfumes, cleaning solutions or candles.
Stress is a trigger of a bad breathing episode and panic attack.
I practice breathing excercises. That helps me tremendously. I need to rest and get enough sleep also. I found you need hobbies or something you enjoy to keep your mind off breathing. I read a lot and play on this site. You have to learn what entertains you and relaxes you. I cannot take heat or humidy. My breathing becomes extremely poor if it is too hot. I have opened my window or gone outside when it is snowing so I can get air in my lungs.
I could go on and on, but like I said, everyone has to find out for themselves what helps and what doesn't. Avoid triggers that make the breathing worse. The bad part is it never goes away. It just follows you to one degree or the other. There is no escape from it and I think when you learn that and accept it, you can handle the disease better. Because if you don't control it, it will control you and your life will be miserable. It takes a lot of work and patience........
2006-10-29 17:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandfather had emphysema from the time he has 70 to the time he was 101. It depends on how bad it is, or advanced. Doctors have some medication to make it a little easier to deal with the difficulties caused by the disease. Your doctor may be the best person to tell you if there is any type of breathing exercises that would help some.
2006-10-29 14:10:11 · answer #2 · answered by Hipnotico 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a serious problem that should only be addressed by specialists. My Grandfather lived for 30 years with Emphysema from the age of 46 to 76 and I never had the opportunity to do anything with him but talk and listen to him wheeze.
The only thing your friend can do is take care of himself,don't get in a position where he is physically stressed and breathing hard. Always have his oxygen bottle with him and a spare in reserve. I am sorry that he has such a health problem and also sorry for you. He is the one that has to suffer but I think it's worse to have to watch him do so. Good Luck!
2006-10-29 14:02:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Besides the other answers, my daughter was dx'd with emphysema when she was about 30, she is now 40 and 'suddenly' since her last medical about 4 months ago, she no longer has emphysema! The point is, just because your dx'd with it doesn't mean you really have it!!! As for your Grandfather, go see him, your Grandmother too, no one knows for sure when they are going to die, but when your in your 80's your pushing it when you have all those other problems too.
2016-03-28 01:16:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is in for a rough finish. A pulmonary rehab program will help with breathing retraining to improve the breathing. If it's severe enough then oxygen might be indicated, but that requires an assessment at a pulmonary lab. Some medications may help with symptoms.
You don't say whether your friend is early stages or late stages and without data it's hard to tell what the answer to your question is. Bottom line, your friend needs to work with a pulmonologist in order to assess stage and determine best management options.
Good luck.
2006-10-29 13:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by OU812 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like any condition, there are different levels of severity. Some people will live many years and die of other conditions, while others will quickly end up on home oxygen, get worse, and then...
There isn't a whole lot you can do except reduce the amount of strain on their lungs by doing some of the more difficult things for them and keeping the air clean. Don't use things that will irritate their lungs like air freshener and use cleaners when they are out. If someone else can do the cleaning, that would be helpful for their lungs.
2006-10-29 13:55:06 · answer #6 · answered by couchtalker 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My father is 85 and has had emphysema for over 35 years.
2006-10-29 13:52:34 · answer #7 · answered by wolfgangmeyers 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on their other medical problems and how well they take care of themselves. See your doctor regularly. When having shortness of breath don't wait until you have tried everything at home and are tired of breathing before finally calling 911, call sooner than you think you should.
2006-10-29 13:54:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mother has been living with it for the last 20 years. Pulmonary and physical therapy seem to help.
2006-10-29 14:59:13 · answer #9 · answered by sassytxlassie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to call it living my co-worker lived for 9 years after the diagnosis.
I imagine like everything else it depends on the person.
2006-10-29 13:53:18 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋