Mental and Physical Health With COPD

By Janet Plank HU

3 min read

You may know what COPD is and that it affects your organs. It can affect your body and mind.

COPD exacerbation triggers

Tobacco smoke, wood smoke, smoke in general, mold, mildew
Chemicals, pollution, dust, cleaning supplies, candles, air fresheners, perfumes, colognes, lotions, scented products
Allergens, animals, birds

What is an exacerbation?

Glancing at Google after I typed in COPD exacerbation and just about everything said “worsening of symptoms”. Another said “flare.” I guess that speaks volumes, and yes, that's what it is.
If you think you are having an exacerbation, do see your doctor or go to the ER.

It’s very important that you see your doctor as scheduled. Maybe you aren't feeling well and need to see your doctor.

Things you might want to discuss with your doctor:

Concerns about your breathing
Exacerbation
Overall health
Confusion
Phlegm: Is there color to it? White, Yellow, Green, Brown, or Red? Is it thick or thin?
Retaining fluid: puffy ankles or hands

Talking to your doctor about medications

Your doctor will prescribe the medications that he/she feels will best treat you and your health issues. Do discuss with your doctor if you have any problems with medications.

Reactions to medication, whether over the counter or prescribed, can be serious. However, some may give an upset a minor upset stomach, while others may call it anaphylaxis.

Do you need to go to the ER? Do you have an epi-pen? Discuss these things with your doctor. Maybe it’s time to try something else. Your doctor is the one to decide that.

Oral thrush (Candida) can happen with inhaled medications. That’s why it’s so important to rinse well after each use. You can see photos of oral thrush on the internet.

However, it isn’t always that way; sometimes, it can go down your throat. A common medication that is prescribed is called Nystatin.

For me, it has a pleasant taste. Its nickname is Swish and Spit because that’s how you use it. You swish it around your mouth and then spit it out.

Spiriva was my wonder drug. The possible side effects look scary. I didn’t have any problems, and it did well for me for many years.

I guess that I’m saying, if it’s prescribed, try it. If you are concerned, discuss it with your doctor and possibly with your pharmacist.

Issues with your weight

Have you been gaining weight? Losing weight? Staying the same?

Are you concerned about your weight? Do you think seeing a nutritionist would be beneficial? Insurance or Medicare may or may not pay.

Getting exercise

This is so very important, you need exercise to keep your body strong so that you can do things. Most importantly it is to help you breathe.

Ask your doctor if he has recommendations for you regarding the types of exercises you should do. YouTube has so many choices, as well.

Your doctor would likely know if there is a pulmonary rehab program in your area. They can do wonderful things.

Finding support

Support is so important. Your family and friends can be helpful. There are also numerous COPD support sites on the internet. Our community is very supportive, and you can find so much information here.

Often family doesn’t understand what you are going through, and they don’t know how to help. Sometimes they may feel overwhelmed.

It’s helpful if they can find a family support site or a caretaker’s support site. COPD is a family disease and does affect them too.

Friends may stand by you, some may leave. Please share the site with them too. It might help them understand.

They may get frustrated that it affects them too and it may scare them. They might think that they have to change as well.

Maybe there is a Better Breathers support group in your area. This would be wonderful for face-to-face support.

If you are smoking, stop

Never start smoking if you haven’t! This can help to slow the progression of your disease.

There are products that you can get at your local pharmacy. Your local state American Cancer Society might have products that could help you as well.

November 15 is the Great American Smokeout. This is a National Day held by the American Cancer Society to encourage people to stop smoking.

Do you have anything you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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kloker Member
Janet - Great article! It covers a lot of stuff we all have to deal with. Right now, for me, it's less general and more specifically a couple of things I am struggling with. My meds are okay right now - the only one I'm not very happy about is the Tramadol I got last week for my shoulder pain. I also got Celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory, which I'm actually taking, and it seems to be starting to help my shoulder as well as my hips. I obviously need more exercise, but that has been difficult lately, as again I am dealing with severe constant dizziness, which means I am falling down frequently, which means my right shoulder is getting worse, as I keep falling on it. There is a definite pattern there, just haven't been able yet to figure it out, so it is becoming a major issue. So, I have the pain meds, but I refuse to take the opioid if I do not have to, and if I do have to, I won't take more than I absolutely have to, as I hate that stuff, plus I have almost 34 years in recovery now and I am not about to get addicted again. No way. So, there is that issue. I have the PT folks coming tomorrow t The other issue is financial. This time of year is difficult for us pore folk! I have my Part B and D deductibles to pay, so my scrips are higher, plus there are extra medical bills to pay, and naturally, now I have another plumbing leak to fix, which will take a lot of work, most of which I will have to do myself somehow, and I will, and which will also cost more money, especially with about three $200 water bills in a row, as, since the ice storm, and since my hearing has gotten worse, I could not hear the leak until the office called and my neighbor found it. It was in the front part of the house, where my brother lived before he died last year, and where I never normally go. At least I won't need a plumber, as I can do the work. I have the parts ordered. My neighbor will help too, so that's good. But I was just starting to get over my usual winter depression, and then all this stuff fell on my head, plus some serious urological issues, and the fact that I am already on a tight budget without all this, and I am really struggling right now in my head. But, I really don't have any options, so I just have to do what I have always done, which its to grin and bear it, and get it done somehow. And I will. But at night I find myself asking God why can I not get a break? Even a little one. If this is retirement, I don't like it! Anyway, it's getting late, and I have a full schedule tomorrow. MY PT guy is coming at 9am and my Pathologist at 1pm, and I have to try and chase down more plumbing parts after that. One thing I really don't like about mobile homes is that they use non-standard (oddball!) plumbing parts, which makes things difficult. Aargh!!! This is not turning out to be a good week. Oh, well. Sleep now, drink good coffee in the morning, and then get busy again. It's all I can do. It will not be fun working on the plumbing with my shoulder. My neighbor is a very willing and helpful guy, but he doesn't have plumbing skills. Or electrical, or computer, or other repair skills. But he will chase parts for me, so that's good!!! More when I have it to report. Later. Y'all have a good and safe night. More big storms coming!
kloker Member
Wow! This platform is frustrating! I carefully posted the above post, and it cut off an entire paragraph! Aargh!! You can see it right where the PT guy is and then nothing! Anyway, he is coming tomorrow to evaluate me for fall prevention and to see what my shoulder needs, and maybe any help with my dizziness.