Frequently Asked Questions About COPD
Why is important to exercise?
Exercise has many benefits. First, it decreases shortness-of-breath and improves your energy level. It also decreases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, high blood sugar, and side effects from medicine (steroids). Exercise increases bone strength, muscle strength, endurance, relaxation, and restful sleep. Overall, exercise will improve your quality of life.
How can I exercise when I can't breathe?
By using coordinated breathing techniques and starting out slowly, you will be able to find an exercise program that works for you. When you have difficulty breathing, it can cause you to become anxious. This can lead to inactivity. The more inactive you are, the more short of breath you become. The increased shortness of breath in turn increases your anxiety about activity. This is called the "Vicious Circle of Dyspnea."
If you exercise, you can beat this circle. This will give you more energy, decrease your level of breathlessness (dyspnea) and decrease some of the anxiety that comes with being short of breath.
Will I have to exercise for the rest of my life?
Yes. Regular exercise will become part of your every day life. You will need to exercise three times a week for twenty minutes to maintain your current fitness level. Exercise four to five times a week for thirty minutes to improve your fitness level. Exercise five to six times a week for forty-five to sixty minutes to promote weight loss.
Why should I use pursed-lip breathing with exercise?
Pursed-lip breathing will help you feel less short-of-breath when you exercise. It also helps increase your oxygen saturation. Pursed-lip breathing causes a negative pressure in your airways keeping them open. This helps move air in and out of your lungs more easily.
Do I have to purse lip breath all of the time?
Pursed-lip breathing can be helpful any time you are short of breath. It can help you focus on your breathing and relax. It is most important that you use pursed-lip breathing during activities that involve exertion to decrease your shortness of breath and maintain your oxygen saturation levels.
Do I have to wear my oxygen while I exercise?
If your healthcare provider has prescribed oxygen for activity, it is very important that you wear it when you exercise. Oxygen is prescribed when the oxygen level in your blood drops below an acceptable level either at rest or with activity. Using your prescribed oxygen will allow you to feel less shortness of breath when you are active and allow you to do more. Wearing your oxygen will not make you become "addicted" to it. It only makes up for the difference that your lungs are unable to do at this time.
Should I wear my oxygen in the shower?
If your healthcare provider has prescribed oxygen for activity, it is also very important that you wear it in the shower. Showering is a very demanding activity. Therefore, as with any other activity you should wear your oxygen.
Why do I always get so short of breath after climbing stairs, but not while I am climbing them?
Generally, this may occur because of your breathing technique. Two possible explanations may be:
- If you did not apply the coordinated breathing technique while climbing the stairs, you may feel more short of breath after the task due to the energy expended. You asked your muscles to do more work while climbing the stairs. Your body needs an increased amount of oxygen as it is rapidly trying to pump it to all of your muscles. If the oxygen need is greater than the demand or your capacity, you may feel more short of breath.
- If you were so focused on coordinating your breathing with the rhythm of stair climbing that when you stopped, your coordinated breathing stopped as well, breathe slowly, deeply, and rhythmically with a focus on a your exhale throughout the stair climbing activity to decrease your feeling of breathlessness.
Once I start on supplemental oxygen, will I have to stay on it? Or, will I become addicted to supplemental oxygen?
This is a good question to ask your healthcare provider. Some people may need to continue oxygen therapy routinely to maintain the oxygen level in their blood. If you are visiting from a lower altitude. Your oxygen level may be checked again when you return to lower altitude. We all need oxygen to survive and for our bodies to operate more efficiently and effectively. It is important that you have the proper levels of oxygen in your body so that your heart and lungs are not working too hard and/or inefficiently. Depending on the progression of your disease, sometimes exercise will help your body systems work more effectively and may decrease the amount of supplemental oxygen needed.
Can I just take "hit" of oxygen when I need it?
No. You should use your supplemental oxygen as prescribed by your health care provider. Your oxygen is a prescription, just like your medication. Do not try to "wean" yourself off or use amounts other than as instructed by your doctor. Sometimes we don't know what our body's oxygen needs are without a formal oxygen titration test. During this test, your oxygen level is measured with a pulse oximeter while you exercise. Your doctor uses this test to determine the amount of oxygen you need when you rest and exercise.
I do a lot of yard work and housework, and my job is physically demanding. Do I still need to exercise?
Yes. Even though it is good to work outdoors and to continue doing physical work, it is important to do the exercises given to you by your therapist. Usually, work around the house or on your job is of a start and stop nature. It is important to progress to doing some form of endurance exercise for thirty minutes or more continuously to improve function of your heart muscle and lungs. Endurance exercise will help to make everyday tasks easier.
Why am I short of breath if my oxygen saturation is good?
Depending on your disease, sometimes you may feel short of breath even though your body is getting the oxygen it needs. It is important to use good breathing techniques, use your medications properly, and discuss with your physician or healthcare provider your symptoms so your specific needs can be met. Exercise can be used to improve functional endurance and strength so tasks become easier with less shortness of breath.
This information has been approved by Scott Van Da Walker, MSN, FNP-C (July 2006)
