Throughout the month of November, our blog has been focused on topics of awareness and helping to bring attention to certain diseases and disorders. At Champion Home Health Care, we like to provide information that may be useful to you or your loved ones. Of course, we are also here for you, your family, or your aging loved one if you need home health care in the Melbourne, Florida area.

We proudly offer veteran care, medical facility staffing, 24/7 care, nursing services and home health services to all of Brevard County. Our goal is to help families keep their loved ones happily and healthily at home while they are rehabilitating, recovering, aging, or in need of long or short term assistance. Our services provide peace of mind to extended family and comfort to our clients.

COPD Month

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a progressive respiratory disease that makes breathing harder over time. COPD includes two separate respiratory conditions: bronchitis (swelling of airways) and emphysema (damage to air sacs in the lungs). A doctor diagnoses COPD by performing a test called a spirometry that measures how much air your lungs can hold and how forcefully you can breathe out. It is of the utmost importance to quit smoking if one is trying to manage or slow down the progression of this disease. Of equal importance is working closely with a doctor to control and manage the symptoms of COPD by developing and following a medicine maintenance plan. There is no cure for COPD, but it may be managed through positive lifestyle modifications and medication.

Overview of COPD

Symptoms:

  • excessive production of mucus in the lungs
  • tightness and wheezing in chest when breathing
  • constant coughing
  • shortness of breath

COPD Causes:

  • smoking
  • history of respiratory infection in childhood
  • environmental factors
  • genetic factors

Management of COPD:

  • quit smoking
  • incorporate breathing exercises
  • eat well
  • avoid triggers
  • be prepared with emergency medication
  • stay active
  • avoid rushing…practice simplicity
  • practice breathing slowly

We hope you have learned some important information over the past month from our blogs focusing on public awareness for diseases highlighted during the month of November. Champion Home Health Care is ready, willing and able to assist you or your senior loved one with superior in-home care.