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Showing posts with the label COPD

Sleep and COPD: Tips for a restful night

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  For healthy people, getting quality sleep at night is already a challenge. For those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, the case is the same but much worse. Often marked with difficulty in breathing, coughing, and wheezing, the pain caused by COPD symptoms may prevent one from getting a good night's sleep. Image source: sclerodermanwes.com Every time symptoms persist, people are advised to consult with their doctor to receive proper treatment. According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., for those with COPD, side effects can wake one up at night, making it best for them to speak with their doctor before making any treatment adjustments. Sleeping can be tricky for the lungs, especially when the body isn't positioned properly. Slightly adjust one's sleeping position, with the head slightly higher than the body to prevent acid reflux. Image source: bioinfromant.com Anyone who seeks to have a quality sleep at night knows not to nap during the day. Naps longer th...

What are the main symptoms of COPD?

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  Millions of people all over the world suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. This condition includes shortness of breath, emphysema, and bronchitis. COPD is common among smokers, and many people don't realize that they have the disease until later in life. Pulmonologists suggest that patients see a professional once they have difficulty breathing instead of dismissing it as fatigue or a sign of aging. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., a board-certified pulmonary disease physician from New Jersey, discusses some of the disease's symptoms. Chronic cough and increased production of phlegm A cough that lasts for days, along with greenish phlegm, can be a sign of COPD. The body's reaction to the increased mucus production and other environmental irritants is through coughing. Too much coughing can cause fatigue and discomfort to the body. This is why those with suspected COPD need to consult their doctors to find ways to clear the airways without further ...