Health and Wellbeing

An Elderly Couple Lowered the Effects of Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is a chronic condition that can be treated with medication, therapies, and lifestyle modifications.

Our lungs are vital for our survival and well-being. Respiratory diseases are in the top ten causes of death globally. According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is fourth on the list. “262 million people suffer from chronic respiratory diseases.“

Previously I wrote about lung diseases in general. After engaging with some subscribers, I noticed that obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung disorders globally.

Some readers requested an article that could enhance their knowledge and inspire them to get better support from qualified healthcare professionals.

To make this post practical and helpful, I present it in two sections. First, I provide essential information about obstructive pulmonary disease distilled from credible sources that might help you explore it further when required.

Then I share a brief real-life story of a mature couple who significantly improved their condition, lowering symptoms and effects with professional support and healthy lifestyle changes.

A combination of them was the critical success factor for David and Linda, who are over 70 years old and x-smokers.

I also provide takeaway points based on an intense literature review and interaction with patients in my circles, hoping they can provide valuable perspectives.

All organs are essential, but the lungs are extra critical as we cannot live more than a few minutes when we cannot breathe.

1 — What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and why does it matter?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a cluster of lung diseases primarily comprising chronic emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Airflow obstruction characterizes this disorder.

I’d like to summarize the key points of these two conditions based on documentation from the National Institute of Health (NIH).

“Emphysema develops when there’s damage to the walls between many air sacs in the lungs. Normally, these sacs are elastic or stretchy. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air. When you breathe out, the air sacs deflate, and the air goes out. In emphysema, it is harder for your lungs to move air out of your body.”

“Chronic bronchitis is caused by repeated or constant irritation and inflammation in the lining of the airways. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making breathing hard.”

Literature indicates that COPD is treatable but not fully reversible. In addition, if not treated timely, it can lead to disability and death.

NIH informs that “COPD is a common and treatable disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation and tissue destruction. COPD will typically present in adulthood and often during the winter months.”

According to NIH, “COPD is associated with structural lung changes due to chronic inflammation from prolonged exposure to noxious particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke. Chronic inflammation causes airway narrowing and decreased lung recoil.”

COPD as a chronic condition can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Substantial symptoms include “coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, sudden attacks of breathlessness, dyspnea, sputum production, fatigue, and decreased ability to exercise.”

These symptoms can be severe and can make it difficult for people with COPD to perform everyday activities.

Moreover, the condition might lead to other health disorders such as heart disease, lung cancer, and depression. Thus early treatment and lifestyle modifications are crucial.

NIH informs that “COPD is an inflammatory condition involving the airways, lung parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature.”

“The process is thought to involve oxidative stress and protease-antiprotease imbalances. Emphysema describes one of the structural changes seen in COPD, where there is the destruction of the alveolar air sacs, leading to obstructive physiology.”

The significant risk factors are cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution, chemical fumes, and other irritants and aggregators. In addition, people with genetic predispositions might develop COPD.

As informed by NIH, “cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD worldwide. Other causes may include second-hand smoke, environmental and occupational exposures, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.”

Standard treatment for COPD typically includes medications to open up the airways and make breathing more manageable. For severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove damaged tissue in the lungs to improve breathing, as decided by specialists after a thorough examination.

More importantly, healthy lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, avoiding exposure to irritants, eating healthy foods, regular exercise, and lowering stress with restorative sleep, rest, and fun might lower the symptoms.

As informed in this 2020 systemic literature review, “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects over 250 million people globally, carrying a notable economic burden. Moderate-to-very severe COPD represents a considerable economic burden for healthcare providers despite the availability of efficacious treatments and comprehensive guidelines on their use.”

According to NIH, “in the United States, COPD affects more than 15 million adults, and many more do not know they have it. More than half of those diagnosed are women. COPD is a major cause of disability, and it is the fourth leading cause of death in the US, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

This medical paper in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine points out that “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been a global health problem since 2001.” The paper introduced the strategies from the GOLD.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) highlights the assessment of the patient with COPD should always include an assessment of (1) symptoms, (2) severity of airflow limitation, (3) history of exacerbations, and (4) comorbidities.

One of the standard treatment methods is pulmonary rehabilitation. “It is a supervised program that includes exercise training, health education, and breathing techniques for people who have certain lung conditions, have lung problems due to other conditions, or have had a lung transplant.”

Another effective treatment is oxygen therapy. “It delivers oxygen to breathe. Patients can receive oxygen therapy from tubes resting in their nose, a face mask, or a tube placed in their trachea (windpipe). You may need oxygen therapy if you have a condition that causes your blood oxygen levels to be too low. Oxygen therapy is generally safe.”

According to NIH, “surgery may benefit some people who have COPD. However, it usually is a last resort for people who have severe symptoms that have not improved from taking medicines.”

The standard surgery methods are “bullectomy to remove one or more very large bullae from the lungs. One-way endobronchial valves can be implanted in one of your bronchial tubes.”

“And lung volume reduction surgery removes damaged tissue from the lungs and helps the lungs work better. Finally, a lung transplant is a surgery to remove a diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung.”

The root causes, symptoms, and effects might vary from person to person. Nonetheless, principles and approaches for solutions might have similarities. Therefore, gaining insights from others can be invaluable.

To this end, I provide a high-level description of a couple of family friends who significantly improved with professional support and lifestyle choices.

2 — How an Elderly Couple Lowered the Symptoms and Effects of COPD

David and Linda retired after 65. They were both active and loved spending time outdoors. However, after a few years, they noticed that their breathing was increasingly strained, and their quality of life diminished.

They had been heavy smokers. Fortunately, they reduced smoking from a pack of 30 to around ten daily cigarettes. They thought lowering the number of cigarettes would solve their problems.

Therefore, they couldn’t figure out why they were still having so much trouble breathing. One of their friends who had a similar condition prompted them to see their doctors and discuss the details of their breathing difficulties.

As soon as the family doctor completed detailed tests and their analysis, she informed them they had the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The physician provided some information about COPD. First, they understood COPD was a lung disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

They learned that airflow obstruction might not be fully reversible. They wanted to breathe properly and get enough oxygen that their bodies needed.

When their grandson, Brian, studying medical science, informed them that COPD was a chronic and progressive disease that could lead to disability and death, David and Linda were devastated by this bad news.

They had always been healthy and active. Therefore, they couldn’t believe that they were now facing a chronic illness causing additional risks to their health and well-being.

Nevertheless, the family doctor assured them that some options could improve their condition. She referred them to several specialists working in a private health center for older adults.

They included a pulmonologist, a respiratory therapist, a psychologist, and a dietician. The psychologist was also a hypnotherapy and CBD practitioner specializing in addictive behavior such as smoking cessation.

These specialists developed a treatment plan, including medications to open their airways and make breathing easier. In addition, they educated them to make lifestyle changes to manage their COPD and understand their condition and how to live with it.

The first recommendation by the pulmonologist was to stop smoking permanently. This request looked highly difficult for the couple. David and Linda had been smokers for most of their lives. They admitted their addiction. However, they understood it was important for their health.

Fortunately, with the help of hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, and support from their friends and family, they could quit smoking for good. This behavioral change was the most significant victory in their life.

The specialists also recommended that they start exercising regularly. He prescribed a program of low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, and isometric workouts like planking to help improve their breathing and build their muscular strength, flexibility, agility, and endurance.

Initially, David and Linda found it difficult to get moving. Nevertheless, with the support of their friends and family members, they got used to it.

As they became more physically active, they noticed that their breathing improved and they had more energy. They were about the noticeable improvement in their physical health.

When they kept their body moving, the dietician customized a healthy diet to help manage their COPD. Besides eating whole foods, the dietician removed processed food and sugary drinks. This personalized diet gave them more energy. They felt significant improvement in physical and mental health.

Other lifestyle modifications to help manage their COPD included avoiding exposure to irritants like bushfire smoke and chemical fumes, getting vaccinated against respiratory infections like pneumonia, and using oxygen therapy as additional support.

With help from their psychologist, they improved their social connections with friends, family, and community members. The support and encouragement from their loved ones were priceless in helping them manage their condition.

As they made these lifestyle modifications and followed their treatment plan, David and Linda noticed a significant improvement in their symptoms. For example, they were able to breathe easier and enjoy smelling roses.

In addition, they had more energy allowing them to participate in activities they once thought were out of reach. They also inspired others in their community who were struggling with COPD.

More inspiringly, they became a source of hope and encouragement for elderly people in their circles dealing with COPD symptoms.

Takeaways

I identified nine key takeaway points based on an intense literature review and interaction with people with the condition, hoping they could provide valuable perspectives.

1 — The most effective and low-hanging fruit is to quit smoking.

2 — Avoid exposure to harmful materials like irritants and aggravators.

3 — With guidance from specialists, consider wearing a mask, using air purifiers, and getting oxygen therapy at home or clinics.

4 — Move the body regularly and improve strength gradually.

5 — Eat healthy foods and consider a customized diet.

6 — Lower oxidative stress and inflammation as much as possible with restorative sleep, adequate rest, fun, and social connections.

7 — Get vaccinated against respiratory infections like pneumonia and the flu.

8 — Take prescribed medications as advised by family physicians or specialists.

9 — If your condition is severe, discuss the treatment methods, including surgery or lung transplant, with your family doctor and a pulmonologist.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

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