Table of contents:
- What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- Tips for caring for COPD sufferers at home
- 1. Make sure people with COPD get treatment
- 2. Set the layout of the goods
- 3. Get rid of pollution and smoke in the environment where you live
- 4. Encourage COPD sufferers to stop smoking
- 5. Emotionally supportive
- Don't forget yourself when treating people with COPD
- 1. Take care of yourself
- 2. Take control of your stress levels
- 3. Don't be afraid to ask for help
- 4. Join the community
- 5. Remember, you are a hero
Being sentenced to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be difficult to deal with. Not only those who experience it, but also those closest to them. Caring for COPD patients, especially if you are someone close to you, can be tricky. They may they refuse your help to see a doctor together. So, what should you do to help care for the people closest to you who have COPD?
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
COPD is a common chronic health problem in which the lungs are slowly damaged and unable to supply oxygen to the blood. COPD sufferers will experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing problems that continue to get worse over time.
COPD is a chronic condition. Quality of life can be impaired if the trigger is not avoided, and the sufferer may need support to help him avoid any restrictions for COPD people.
Tips for caring for COPD sufferers at home
COPD is a disease that can get worse and cannot be cured. If your family has this condition, you may have to take part in making sure that COPD treatment is going well.
There are several things you need to treat COPD patients at home, including:
1. Make sure people with COPD get treatment
The most common symptoms of this disease are shortness of breath (especially with exertion), frequent coughing with phlegm, and wheezing. People with early-stage COPD may only need an inhaler to breathe. However, if they have reached an advanced stage, they may need oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, or other strategies.
One way you can treat people with COPD at home is to take them to the doctor regularly. Your doctor will help you plan the best treatment.
Give support for him to continue taking medicines regularly and other treatments as planned by the doctor.
2. Set the layout of the goods
When living and caring for your closest family due to COPD, making the layout of items at home more affordable can be one of the most helpful things. This aims to prevent them from experiencing shortness of breath due to too much activity. You can put the items you need within its reach.
3. Get rid of pollution and smoke in the environment where you live
COPD can cause flare-ups (worsening of symptoms), which can be dangerous. There are many ways to prevent COPD from recurring flare-ups or exacerbations, such as by reducing pollution and smoke in the home.
When treating people with COPD at home, you also need to learn ways to prevent it flare-ups COPD to reduce the risk of recurrence for them.
4. Encourage COPD sufferers to stop smoking
One of the most important treatments is to stop the main cause of COPD, which is smoking. Ask them to stop smoking if they are active smokers.
Caring for COPD sufferers who still smoke certainly requires extra tricks and creativity. You may find ideas for helping people quit smoking. You can also consult a doctor. Don't forget to always remind them of the importance of living a healthy life for people with COPD.
5. Emotionally supportive
Quoted from the American Lung Association, COPD sufferers must be able to regulate their emotions. The reason is, this disease often affects their emotional state and makes them stressed.
This is certainly a challenge for those of you who care for people with COPD. The first step you can take to help him emotionally is to give him time to accept the situation.
It must be difficult if we are convicted of an "incurable" disease. After a while, talk to him about how they feel. Take this opportunity to discuss treatment and any changes that may have to be made.
Don't forget to say that you will always be there to support him at all times. Be a listener and listen to what they have to say. Your goal is to make them feel good, and this means getting them what they need.
Knowing the symptoms to look out for and helping your COPD sufferer cope with the condition and emotions he is feeling can make your efforts to help him come from a slump better.
Keep enriching information about COPD pain because the latest medicines and medications are evaluated all the time. Remember to keep in touch with the person with COPD and their doctor.
Don't forget yourself when treating people with COPD
Not only sufferers of COPD, you also need to get attention. Moreover, caring for COPD patients at home can be quite a challenge.
You certainly have to pay attention to your own condition. Do not let the fun of caring for a family who is suffering from COPD, make you ignore your health and mental condition.
Some of the tips below can help you treat COPD sufferers:
1. Take care of yourself
Many people often focus so much on the condition of COPD sufferers that they forget about their own health. Remember, your health is the health of your patient. Take a little time to relax, exercise, and eat healthily. Make time for yourself.
2. Take control of your stress levels
Caring for people with chronic illnesses, such as COPD, can leave you exhausted and stressed. That is why it is important for you to me time.
After all, your health is still the main thing. Try doing sports, such as running, yoga, or meditation to relieve stress. By taking your time, you can improve mood You significantly.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for help
Caring for COPD patients alone can be a very heavy burden. However, always remind yourself that you are not alone. You can contact a family member, doctor, or support group (support group). There are also many organizations that offer advice for sufferers' families.
Many people feel guilty about leaving responsibility to someone else. This may be because they feel that it is their responsibility or that they do not want to burden others. However, you are not superhuman and it's okay to ask for help.
4. Join the community
Let us emphasize one more time: you are not alone. Talking to other people who are going through the same thing is a great way to get emotional support. People in a support group, who have been or are going through the exact same hurdles as you, can be a great form of emotional support.
You can even find support online and find local support groups in your area. Just by talking to someone about your day, you can reduce your stress levels and lead a healthier lifestyle. Over time, you may make new friends.
5. Remember, you are a hero
We know that caring for COPD patients is a full-time job, and it may be easier said than done. One thing we always hear over and over from patients is that their caregivers are their heroes.
You are a smart person, extraordinarily strong, loving and giving. Without you, your loved ones will have limited options. Praise yourself and reward yourself for what you have accomplished.
Taking on the role of caregiver for someone with COPD or other lung diseases, and caring for them on a daily basis, is no easy task. There may be great sadness, feelings of isolation, and stress from a lack of entertainment and personal time.
It is important to take the initiative to improve the quality of life for both your loved ones and yourself. By feeling better, you will be able to help your loved ones feel better.