My mother has severe COPD. I suffer from it as well, but have been stable for many years due to following recommendations... ie: avoiding public places, public transportation, limiting grandchildren especially when sick, masking when in the store and using hand sanitizer. My mother, newly diagnosed (we have known for awhile but she would not go to doctor) we are trying to advise her about Casino visits, letting dirty snotty nosed grandchildren in the house, groups of church people in and out of home... sharing her phone with out cleaning, bathroom issue with so many in the house.... all these being triggers to her exacerbating her illness. 1) Is this true, or are we misinformed. 2) Any way we can get printed material about this and other precautions for severe stage with 24 hour oxygen?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. COPD treatment needs following things to be done simultaneously. 1. Quit smoking if habit is there.2. Inhaled bronchodilators having long acting beta 2 agonist and corticosteroids. 3. Pulmonary rehabilitation and chest physiotherapy with deep breathing exercise.4. Adult vaccination with pneumococcal and h.influenza to prevent infection. And once you vaccinate her, no need to avoid things you have mentioned. COPD patients can live normal life once disease is controlled. And in end stage disease home oxygen therapy is needed.