Factors That Influence My COPD Health

The day was a tough one. I was so tired. Something triggered my asthma. COPD could be a culprit too.

My osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia both had me in pain. I felt so sick. My chest was tight. I was glad it was time for another nebulizer treatment.

Coughing was wearing me out. Finally, I had a productive cough. It felt like a knife was jabbing in my back. I sat down and wanted to cry.

It would be a relief. I felt myself rocking. My hubby said I do that when I’m in pain.

Managing tasks and breathing

Nothing gets done, as it takes so long to do any task. Pain affects my breathing. I catch myself taking shallow breaths.

It’s important to remind myself to breathe. Pursed lip breathing, 1-2-3 breaths in, 1-2-3-4 slow breaths out. I did this a few times.

I shed a tear that day. They were real tears. Not many but a few, and with them came relief.

To add to my repertoire of health issues, I have dry eyes, dry sinus, and dry mouth. Allergies don’t help. I spritz and gargle frequently, and drink plenty of water too. There was so much relief after my real tears!

My husband says that I always cry. I may mope around when I’m at my worst. To me, without a tear, it isn’t a cry.

Yet, I shed a tear that day. It didn’t last long. I was so relieved and peaceful.

I have used prescription and nonprescription eye drops; nothing seems to work. The drops burn and are so expensive.

The search for dental stability

A few years ago, because of dry mouth, I wrote an article sharing my struggle with dentures. A few months ago, no matter how I tried, I couldn’t keep my dentures in.

The dentist tried fitting my lowers. He made a couple of adjustments.

When I began to open my mouth, my lowers would shoot out of my mouth. It was like they had a spring or were being shot out of my mouth with a sling shot.

He put them back in my mouth and said he figured out why they wouldn’t stay in. The bone on the lower left side of my mouth was wearing away. It made perfect sense then, why, no matter how much paste or oral pads I would use, nothing would hold them in place. I must have looked lost.

My dentist said that dental implants would probably work. I could talk with the dentist who works with them. He does the implants and could quote a price as well.

Denture discomfort

My top dentures do pretty good. My dentist relined them. Sometimes I can wear the upper dentures without glue. If I put them in my mouth wet, it acts as a suction cup. Sadly, I can’t eat with them, it’s so painful when those hard upper teeth bite into my bare lower gums.

At home I can cook and eat without teeth. I don’t eat around people, except family. Very seldom do I go out.

Thankfully, aside from the dryness, it doesn’t affect my breathing. However, spicy and greasiness can trigger a reaction.

It can take my breath away; it also affects reflux. I have cheated and gone for flavor a few times. Denture paste definitely does affect my breathing, my gag reflux as well.

It’s important to realize that the solutions for better health might not be what we want. Too often it upsets me to look in the mirror. I was never a beauty.

Now though, my wrinkled face seems to have aged me 20 years or so. I had lost some weight, some of which found its way back to me. That seems to be caused by weight loss. My husband doesn’t think it’s bad, but I know what I see.

Mental health with a chronic illness

Sometimes, others have difficulty understanding me. This is usually because of dryness of my mouth. My lips sometimes stick to my gums. At home and away, I have a bottle of water with me, as well as

These things, chronic illnesses can affect mental health. They can affect your breathing and COPD. If you want or need to talk with someone, discuss with your doctor, he/she could refer you. Those visits can probably be done in an office or over the internet. You might find that antidepressants help as well.

Your overall health does make a difference. One thing can trigger a response in another area of the body. If it’s pain, it’s called referred pain.

These can affect the whole of you. Document your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can help. Prioritize things to discuss. Save some to discuss some things with your doctor at your next appointment.

I hand my list to the nurse when she takes me to a room. This way the doctor can take time to look it over before coming into my room.

I really like the access that I have to my online medical record. I can see my records, test results, and billing. I can message for a medication renewal, ask questions, or schedule appointments. A person can probably go through the receptionist or scheduling as well.

Times are changing. It’s freeing because we have more say over our health.

The impact of lifestyle choices on COPD health

Do you see how these things can affect your COPD health? Remember, everything that you do can affect your oxygen and your lungs. It’s never too late to take care of them.

If you are wondering if you should see your doctor, do. If you have COPD, it’s most important to remember to breathe.

Things look so much brighter because I shed a tear that day!