Life with COPD

Living-4-Today – – Perception

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Sharing with others daily words, thoughts and meditations that bring myself hope and renewal during my own daily battles and frustrations with COPD/Asthma.  Sharing, because as we all know – without that horizon of hope, our daily renewal of faith and fight can dim in a hurry.

Take, read, meditate and hopefully find some of the same hope in your daily battles with a chronic illness and/or disability as I have within mine….

The Word – “If only you would be altogether silent.  For you, that would-be wisdom.”  (Job 13:5, NIV)

The Thought – When people begin a relationship they should reflect together in silence on the wisdom that Herb Vander Lugt once wrote, “Deep relationships are built on acceptance, understanding, and listening.”

One of the biggest problems in relationships, especially those where you are blending two families together is acceptance of what all is already present, understanding what all is already present and listening to what all is already present.

Several years ago, a couple I know married, the second marriage for both, a marriage that combined two families and four kids, two each for each spouse.  From there a couple of things would happen, either both the kids are all accepted by the families of both spouses or they are not – and a lot of that acceptance may come down to perception.

One of the ‘Great Spirits’ greatest gifts is that of grandchildren and the love bonds that develop between them and the grandparents they are given at birth.  Most folks that are or have been grandparents of little ones know the absolute joy that comes from building that bond of security and love between them and sometimes the perception of that bond can and will be misperceived.

Without knowing it, a child feels the work of hope, faith, love and grace that comes from the ‘Great Spirits’ and a relationship with a grandparent, many times to the point where the grandchild will express that appreciation before the grandparent has a chance to convey it and the parents have a chance to understand it.

The signs of this relationship between grandchild and grandparent can sometimes be misperceived as favoritism, especially to those bringing new grandkids into a blended family environment.

Another sign of misperception can come when someone in the either family becomes ill and needs special acceptance for such an illness, especially when the illness is like COPD and/or Asthma and the signs of it sometimes are very unpredictable.  Can the blended family both accept the illness and the necessary time one of them may need to devout in helping the family member with such an illness, or will they misperceive that need as favoring one family over the other.

When it comes to additional grandkids thrown into the fray of grandparenting, I know most grandparents open the new additions to the flock with very open, loving arms, while leaning on the ‘Great Spirits’ to continue giving them guidance and wisdom on how to heal any hurts the new grandkids may have coming into new, sometimes confusing blended family experience.

This is those times when both the parents of the blended family and the grandparents working at blending equally all grandkids, need to rely on sitting in silence with the ‘Great Spirits’ and finding the guidance and wisdom of understanding how quickly perception and misperception can unglue the four fundamentals of blended family happiness – those of hope, faith, love and grace.

The Meditation/Prayer –  As we take a moment to rest in meditation, we look toward the ‘Great Spirits’ with much gratitude for all that surrounds us in the walk we call life.  We also ask the ‘Great Spirits’ for continued wisdom and guidance to breaking down the walls of misperception that can tear apart families that find love but struggle with blending their families together despite that love.  May our times of silence with the ‘Great Spirits’ give us time to strengthen our work within the four fundamentals of life and happiness – as hope, faith, love and grace all will be needed to overcome that great barrier of misperception.

With that we all say Hallelujah, Amen.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer – This writing may not be reused in any manner without written permission.)

(More ‘Living 4 Today’ writings can be found at either wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.)

Words of COPD/Asthma – ‘Orthopnea’

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When you have a disability or chronic illness, one of the most important things you can do is to learn as much as you can about it.  The more you know, the easier it should be to get a handle on those days when you feel like it is a constant battle and you are not sure you are winning.

Knowing the language or words that go with COPD/Asthma is a great way to start or to continue to refresh a person’s knowledge of the ins and outs of the lifelong health companion which we are dealing with.

With that, we discuss some of what we call ‘must know words’ of life with COPD/Asthma – and today we will discuss briefly the importance of knowing the word ‘Orthopnea’.

‘Orthopnea’ is used in describing difficulty breathing because of your body position, especially when the SoB (Short of Breath) happens when lying or sleeping while on your back.  A person having this difficulty is likely to use several pillows just to be able to breathe better when resting or sleeping.

This kind of disorder can be and should be considered very dangerous and if left untreated can possible cause death while the patient sleeps.

COPD and Asthma patients are commonly found with this sleeping disorder and need to work with it while battling their own individual battle with COPD/Asthma.

‘Orthopnea’ must be taken seriously as it is not only a sign of lungs being congested but also could be giving your warning signals that your heart is not functioning properly.  When you lay flat the blood that is in your feet and legs become evenly distributed to your entire body which if you’re healthy is no big deal as the lungs and heart can handle it, but if you’re not healthy it will cause problems with the heart and your lungs will not be able to handle the extra fluids and weight.

To know if your sleeping difficulties are ‘Orthopnea’ a person needs to look for some of the more common signs and symptoms of ‘Orthopnea’ such shortness of breath while lying flat, swollen feet and/or ankles, need of pillows when sleeping and/or laying down and coughing on a regular basis while laying down.  Medical folks also say being overweight can also cause ‘Orthopnea’.

Personal Note – This writer, while having been diagnosed with sleep apnea, is familiar with the symptoms of ‘Orthopnea’ because I have fought that difficulty since I was a little kid.  Always needing extra pillows and never sleep flat on my back because it would cause a problem for my breathing or asthma and in more recent times with my COPD.

If adjusting your head and/or body’s height so that sleep may remedy ‘Orthopnea’ for a while, but if the difficulty of sleeping continues then you must consult your physician.

With all that, we ask you the readers if you have symptoms of ‘Orthopnea’, how or have you found solutions?  As always, we look forward to hearing your input – thanx.

As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

Remember – ‘a person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

With that I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer, reprinting or reuse of this article is restricted without written permission.)

NOTE TO REMEMBER: We only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

Know that you can follow all the writings by CrossDove Writer pertaining to COPD/Asthma by following at wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Information gathered from various books and internet sources discussing COPD, Asthma and other lung diseases)

Reflections of COPD/Asthma – ‘Nutrition’, Part 6 is ‘Carbs’

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When I began my travels and battles with COPD/Asthma I knew that it was important to learn what and when I could to better understand as much about COPD and Asthma so I would always be up to date as to what I was up against.

I also felt that as a member of the COPD/Asthma nation, it was important to continually share information that may possible help even one other person in their own battles with COPD/Asthma.

With that, ‘Reflections of COPD/Asthma’ will cover a variety of topics to help both inform and refresh the knowledge of all that goes with battling COPD and/or Asthma.

Today we discuss or refresh your knowledge about ‘Carbs’ with the sixth of a ten-part series on ‘Nutrition’.

‘Nutrition’ is vitally important for any person with COPD as having a proper diet will go a long way in protecting the lung function needed for breathing.

Deal with carbohydrates with some of these key ideas –

}} Choosing fiber-rich vegetables with nearly every meal.

}} Choosing fiber-rich fruits with every meal.

}} Choosing fiber-rich grains often.

}} Prepare foods by choosing ingredients and beverages with little added sugar or sweetners.

}} Always consider guided amounts from the USDA Food Guide.

}} Try following “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” or what is called the DASH eating plan.

}} Seldom eat and/or drink foods and beverages which contain sugar and starch.

We will continue the CrossDove Writer’s series on Nutrition in future postings as we always need to have as much information as possible to fight our own individual battles with our own COPD.

Remember that most diets/nutritional ideas will work depending on what an individual’s nutritional and physical needs may be.

REFLECTION QUESTION – What do you do to control the carbs that you take in when eating?

If you would like to reflect your response to others, please leave them under the comment section of wheezingaway.com.  Thanx.

As always, if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

ALWAYS REMEMBER > A person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

NOTE TO REMEMBER: We only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

With that I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer – reprint or use by written permission only.)

To follow more postings written by Mr. William, feel free to check out either wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Information used is gathered from a various number of books, magazines and websites followed and read by Mr. William.)

Lenny’ and Me 4 Today – Pacing My Days……

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‘Lenny’ is my constant companion the doctors call COPD/Asthma.  Naming my constant health companion seems to make life easier for me in relating to my disease as it gives it a bit of a personality.  Besides treating ‘Lenny’ as a companion, come good days or bad, is much better than always dealing with it as an enemy.

This ‘Lenny and Me for Today’ is an occasional write about the adventures and handling of life together of ‘Lenny’ and me.

Let’s see where ‘Lenny’ and Me have been most recently – Pacing My Days…..

I have come to realize that the most difficult thing for me to deal with most days is pacing myself as I ride through the day, week, month or year.  I realize that dealing with ‘Lenny’ can and is at times, a most unpredictable companion and the only way to work at keeping ‘Lenny’ from causing a stir in my game plan is to pace my day and always watch for them triggers.

This past weekend my wonderful partner/caretaker, better known as my wife of nearly 25 years, joined me on a quick run out of state to visit our daughter and family that just recently moved.  It would be her first visit to their new home and community, plus it would just the two of us away from other family matters that we were trying our best not to disrupt our stress levels and everyday travels.

After having a wonderful time of catching up with my best friend from high school for lunch on Friday, we headed out for the five-hour trip – pacing ourselves so we would hit the big city of Kansas City just before weekend evening rush hour, and bingo, we did just that.

Of course, before leaving the old guy here remembered to toss her my oximeter and nitro, just in case I would need either one – yep, the old guy remembered to plan ahead and grab the medical protections.

Now I do not stay at my daughter’s, at least not yet, because they are still settling in and the house still is airing out from being empty for several months and full of moving boxes and stuff.  This meant we stayed at a wonderful hotel, which for me seems more convenient anyway with my c-pap and nebulizer machines.

We had a most great visit, had some quality food (including some of the best pizza ever) and spent a chunk of time before heading home taking in the sight and sounds of two beautiful lakes that both sit less than 10-15 minutes from my daughter’s home.

The theme of this posting of ‘Lenny and Me for Today’ is pacing, and that is what I did all weekend.  I paced myself when driving to make sure my stress level would stay low so not to offend ‘Lenny’.  I paced myself when walking around the two lakes, especially on the climb back up the steep incline from sandy beach and boat ramps.  I paced myself eating as eating itself can cause an occasional problem or two.  I paced myself playing with the grandkids, the grand-dog and time in the new home so not to set off any triggers.

Was the weekend perfect, darn near, while the important point was I paced myself while keeping the back of the mind and the outside edges of the eyes on a close watch for any possible triggers.

A message for this ‘Lenny and Me for Today’ would be – always work at pacing yourself in all aspects of your daily travels and that pacing should or must always include that watchful eye on triggers.

And that my friends, is where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and me are at 4 today.

As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

Remember – ‘a person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)

NOTES: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or Asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer medical founded information.

REFLECTIONS OF COPD/ASTHMA – ‘NUTRITION’, PART 5 IS ‘FATS’

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When I began my travels and battles with COPD/Asthma I knew that it was important to learn what and when I could to better understand as much about COPD and Asthma so I would always be up to date as to what I was up against.

I also felt that as a member of the COPD/Asthma nation, it was important to continually share information that may possible help even one other person in their own battles with COPD/Asthma.

With that, ‘Reflections of COPD/Asthma’ will cover a variety of topics to help both inform and refresh the knowledge of all that goes with battling COPD and/or Asthma.

Today we discuss or refresh your knowledge about ‘Fats’ with the fifth of a ten-part series on ‘Nutrition’.

More basics to nutrition that we all need to remember are:

Fats – healthy recommendations:

}} Keep trans fatty acid eating as low as possible.

}} Consume less than 10% of calories from saturated fatty acids.

}} Eat less than 300 mg. per day of cholesterol.

}} Make sure that most of the fat eaten is from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. (Examples of these would be fish, nuts and vegetable oils.)

}} Keep total fat intake between 20-35% of calories.

}} Always choose lean, low-fat and fat-free meat, poultry, cry beans and milk/milk products.

}} Always limit intake of fats and oils that would be high in saturated and/or trans fatty acids.

}} Always choose products low in these same type of fats.

REFLECTION QUESTION – What good fats do you use in your daily eating to stay healthy while battling your own individual battle with COPD and/or Asthma?

If you would like to reflect your response to others, please leave them under the comment section of wheezingaway.com.  Thanx.

As always, if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

ALWAYS REMEMBER > A person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

NOTE TO REMEMBER: We only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

With that I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer – reprint or use by written permission only.)

To follow more postings written by Mr. William, feel free to check out either wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Information used is gathered from a various number of books, magazines and websites followed and read by Mr. William.)

Notes to Know About COPD/Asthma – Can an Apple a Day Keep COPD Away?

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It is always important to know what is going on in the world of COPD/Asthma, hence a weekly (at the minimum) posting of ‘Notes to Know about COPD/Asthma’ – because those of us battling the issue should always be up to date on what is going on, and that includes both the positives and the negatives of the COPD/Asthma life.

Today we are sharing a posting we found on the internet regarding a study done in Europe that discussed the effects of fruits and vegetables on the lungs and in particular COPD, so hence the title today of ‘Can an Apple a Day Keep COPD Away’.

Special Note – While the reading of the title alone peaked my curiosity, ironically, I am currently working on posting a series of writes about the importance of nutrition for those battling COPD and/or Asthma.

So – Can an apple a day keep COPD away?

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Can an Apple a Day Keep COPD Away?

(Date on this write was February 23, 2017, it was published originally in Thorax, one of the world’s leading respiratory medicine journals.)

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for everyone and may even help current and former smokers avoid a chronic lung disease, a new investigation found.

Apples, pears, green leafy vegetables and peppers appear to officer protection against COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), said researchers led by Joanna Kaluza of the Warsaw University of life sciences in Poland.

And according to what Kaluza and other of her colleagues found, the more servings of fruits and vegetables consumed regularly, the greater the protection.

The study does not actually prove that diet prevents the debilitating lung disease.

However, ‘we would argue that clinicians should consider the potential benefits of a healthy diet in promoting lung health and advocate optimizing intake of fruits and vegetables, especially in smokers who are unable to stop smoking,’ noted the authors of an editorial that accompanied the study.

Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD. This term applies to a group of breathing conditions, including emphysema, caused by the narrowing of airway passages.

The new 13-year study involved 44,000 Swedish men between the ages of 45 and 79. Nearly two-thirds had smoked at some point. Roughly one-quarter still smoked, while nearly four in 10 said they had never smoked.

The men filled out food questionnaires and answered questions about smoking and other behaviors.

Over the study period, more than 1,900 new cases of COPD developed.

Analyzing the data, the study team determined that regardless of smoking history those who ate five or more servings of certain fruits and vegetables a day were 35 percent less likely to develop COPD than those who consumed just two servings daily.

Among former smokers, each additional serving was tied with a 4 percent lower risk of COPD. In current smokers, each extra serving was linked to an 8 percent lower risk, the study says.

Researchers theorized that antioxidants found in some fruits and vegetables may play a role in reducing tissue stress and inflammation that is central to the onset of COPD.

That said, not all fruits and veggies were deemed protective. Bananas, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, garlic and peas did not appear to lower COPD risk.

Looked at in reverse, the team found that current and former smokers who consumed fewer than two portions of fruits and vegetables each day faced a greater risk for COPD respectively than those who had never smoked and ate five or more such portions daily.

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‘Notes to Know about COPD/Asthma’ will continue to feature writings from medical folks and caretakers who share insights into the world of what may be going on in the world of COPD/Asthma.  ‘Notes to Know about COPD/Asthma’ can be found at either wheezingaway.com or within the Facebook page, COPD Travels.

Remember – ‘a person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)

NOTES: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

Words of COPD/Asthma – ‘Nebulizer’

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When you have a disability or chronic illness, one of the most important things you can do is to learn as much as you can about it.  The more you know, the easier it should be to get a handle on those days when you feel like it is a constant battle and you are not sure you are winning.

Knowing the language or words that go with COPD/Asthma is a great way to start or to continue to refresh a person’s knowledge of the ins and outs of the lifelong health companion which we are dealing with.

With that, we discuss some of what we call ‘must know words’ of life with COPD/Asthma – and today we will discuss briefly the importance of knowing our ‘Nebulizer’.

The word ‘Nebulizer’ is the reference to a machine that people use to convert liquid medications into a mist that can then be easily inhaled by using of a mouthpiece and/or mask.  Using a liquid medication with a ‘Nebulizer’ is commonly used as an alternative to using a metered dose inhaler.

Since a ‘Nebulizer’ is now built in smaller, sleek machines, the liquid medication/nebulizer can be prescribed by a physician and/or pulmonologist for use at a persons home.  Anymore, the cost of the ‘Nebulizer’ machine will be considered for payment under most insurance programs.

Using a ‘Nebulizer’ is simple, as it takes a liquid medication – that is normally provided in a pre-measured vile – and turns it into a fine mist for which the patient would then inhale either through a mouthpiece or mask.

Many patients have found that using a liquid medication turned into a mist with a ‘Nebulizer’ is much more effective than the inhalers they had been using, despite the machine itself is a bit less convenient to use.

Luckily, anymore many of the ‘Nebulizer’ units available for purchase to use at home are small enough to easily fit into a handbag or small luggage bag when needing to travel.  Some even come with convertors to make the ‘Nebulizer’ available for use in a car or camper.

While the majority of patients will be given a ‘Nebulizer’ that uses compressed air to create a mist from the liquid, there is a second-type which instead will use ultrasound to break the liquid down into a finer mist than those from a compressed air unit.

This author is very familiar with the compressed air ‘Nebulizer’ and finds that using it once per day (to start off my morning) does seem to make a difference in getting the old lungs cleared out in the morning and making them more functional for the day ahead.  Plus using a mist medication is easier on my throat than nearly any inhaler.

With all that, we ask you the readers if you use a ‘Nebulizer’ as part of your daily routine, do you feel that using the inhaled mist medication work better for you in your battle with COPD and/or Asthma?

As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

Remember – ‘a person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

With that I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer, reprinting or reuse of this article is restricted without written permission.)

NOTE TO REMEMBER: We only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

Know that you can follow all the writings by CrossDove Writer pertaining to COPD/Asthma by following at wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Information gathered from various books and internet sources discussing COPD, Asthma and other lung diseases)