Frequently Asked Questions About COPD
Question: Is COPD the same thing as Emphysema ?
Answer: COPD is short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD includes lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis . Most people with COPD have a combination of both.
Question: I have recently been diagnosed with COPD and I still smoke. Is it too late to quit smoking now that my lungs are already damaged?
Answer: No, even if you have smoked many years you will benefit from quitting. When you quit smoking, the lung damage will progress more slowly. In addition, your breathing and response to your medicines may noticeably improve.
Question: I feel short of breath a lot but my doctor says my chest X-ray is clear. Does this mean that my lungs are OK?
Answer: Not necessarily - ask your doctor about a breathing test, known as spirometry . Spirometry is a better test for detecting early stages of lung damage. A chest X-ray is more likely to show COPD at a later stage, when there is more damage.
Question: Since I’ve had COPD, I’m worried about being around my grandchildren and catching their colds. Is there anything I can do other than avoid being around them?
Answer: Fortunately, there are other steps that you can take to lessen your risk of lung infections. Ask your doctor about the yearly flu vaccine (every fall) and the pneumonia vaccine. The pneumonia vaccine prevents common types of bacterial pneumonia and is needed every 5-7 years. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes and wash your hands thoroughly (with soap) and frequently. Good hand washing is one of the easiest and best ways to avoid getting all sorts of infections. Keep in mind that it is still important to avoid close contact with people who are coughing and sneezing.
Question: Should I eat a special diet because I have COPD?
Answer: It is important for everyone to eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight, but even more so when you have COPD. If you are underweight or overweight, talk to your doctor about your specific needs. Overall, it is important to eat foods that are nutritious and easily digested. If you get short of breath when eating, eat smaller meals more often. Also, eat slowly and drink your beverage after eating to avoid early fullness.
Question: What sort of arrangements do I need to make before a flight?
Answer: COPD patients using daily supplemental oxygen will definitely need oxygen on a plane and may need to turn it up one to two liters when flying. Some COPD patients not on daily oxygen may also need it during airplane flights. COPD patients need to check with their doctors about their need for supplemental oxygen during air travel and with their airline to make arrangements.
While most major airlines do allow you to carry oxygen on board, some do not. Make sure the airline you are flying does allow you to carry oxygen on board. Phone the airline or check its Web site to find out.
Learn about approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators.
Question: Is it safe to try alternative therapies to treat COPD?
Answer: Currently, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of alternative therapies, such as homeopathy, herbs, and acupuncture, for COPD. While a number of therapies are probably harmless, others may pose considerable risk.
Homeopathy, yoga and acupuncture are probably safe. Trials of acupuncture have shown inconclusive evidence of positive effects in the treatment of respiratory disorders. Other alternative therapies, such as herbal medications, vitamin supplements and restrictive diets, pose greater risks to patients. A few herbal medications, mostly from India and Southeast Asia, contain a variety of contaminants, ranging from aspirin, steroids and narcotics, to toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
The most concern is for the herbal preparation ma huang, which contains ephedra, a natural bronchodilator. This has several side effects that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and blood-pressure crises. Precribed bronchodilators, such as albuterol, have considerably fewer side effects.
Licorice, a plant used not only in flavoring but also in herbal mixtures, inhibits steroid metabolism. Patients who use licorice to reduce their steroid medications are still exposing themselves to steroids and their potential systemic side effects. The amount of licorice used to flavor candy, however, poses little to no risk.
Email our Lung Line nurses with additional COPD questions.
