Finding out that you or a loved one has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can leave you feeling overwhelmed. After all, breathing is essential to life, and over time, COPD makes it difficult to breathe. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York can help you manage COPD, which affects more than 12 million people in the U.S., so you can get this serious lung disease under control and lead a more active life.

Understanding Pulmonary Diseases

The two most common forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis, in which the airways leading to the lungs become inflamed and partially blocked with excess mucus, and emphysema, in which the air sacs in the lungs are damaged and trap air. Many people with COPD have a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and some may also have asthma. By any name, COPD can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, weakness, and exhaustion.

The leading cause of COPD is smoking, though other risk factors include prolonged exposure to indoor or outdoor pollution and a history of early childhood lung infections. COPD can’t be cured, but your doctor can help you improve your symptoms and slow the damage to your lungs by suggesting lifestyle modifications and prescribing medications to allow air to travel more easily through the breathing passages. VNSNY can help you follow your treatment regimen so you can feel better and lead a happier, more active life.

How VNSNY Can Help

Our professional staff can help you follow your doctor’s recommendations and slow the effects of pulmonary disease at home. Our services include:

• Teaching you how to manage your disease and take your medications properly
• Determining how to address environmental triggers and prevent flare-ups of your condition
• Helping you prevent complications, such as respiratory infections, malnutrition, and depression
• Teaching you strategies to conserve energy
• Helping you to recognize the signs and symptoms that should prompt you to seek emergency care