Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Conserving Energy When You Have COPD
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that going about your daily routine can be exhausting. Even though activities such as bathing, grooming, and dressing require a great deal of energy, careful planning can help you get through these tasks more quickly and with less effort. Here's some straight-talking advice from Johns Hopkins.
First, plan to bathe, groom, and dress at times when you're feeling most energetic. Second, gather all the supplies you will need before you start.
Bathing with COPD
- Instead of standing in the shower, use a bath stool or take baths.
- Because excess humidity can make it tougher to breathe with COPD, use warm water rather than hot, leave the bathroom door open, turn on exhaust fans, and open a window whenever possible.
- If washing your hair in the shower, tub, or sink is difficult, ask someone else to do it for you.
- Using a long-handled brush or sponge can eliminate reaching to wash your back and feet.
- If you rely on oxygen for your COPD, you can still use it while in the tub or shower -- just drape the tube over the shower rod or side of the tub.
- Dry off by wearing a long terry cloth robe and blotting rather than using a towel to rub yourself dry -- it takes less effort.
Grooming with COPD
- Choose a simple hairstyle that doesn't require extensive blow drying or styling.
- Conserve energy by sitting in front of a low mirror when shaving or applying makeup, rather than standing bent over the bathroom sink.
- Avoid products that are aerosolized or heavily scented, which will irritate the lungs.
- Perfumes and colognes may also make it more difficult for you to breathe with COPD, so avoid using these products.
Dressing with COPD
- Keep your clothes in places that don't require you to bend or reach.
- If you're most energetic in the evenings, plan ahead and lay out tomorrow's clothes the night before.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing that can make breathing difficult. For example, men can wear suspenders instead of belts, and women can wear camisoles or sports bras instead of regular bras.
- Don't wear socks or stockings with elastic bands, since they can restrict circulation. (Support hosiery recommended by your doctor is the exception.)
- Slip-on shoes mean you don't have to bend over to tie shoelaces. A long shoehorn can also make it easier to put shoes on.
- To conserve energy with COPD, stay seated as long as possible while dressing, and dress your lower half first, as it is usually more difficult. Putting your underwear inside your pants and pulling both on together may be helpful as well.
Posted in Lung Disorders on May 14, 2009
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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I HAVE HAD COPD FOR 13 YEARS THAT I KNOW OF, ITS BEEN A LONG HAUL. I HAD A BAD SIT BACK IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR. MY APPENDICITIS RUPTURED AT THE AGE OF 68, WHICH I NEVER EXPECTED. I HAVE BEEN ON OXYGEN FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS 24 HRS A DAY. WHEN I HAD THE APPY SURG, I GOT A VENTRAL HERNIA IN THE INCISION. THE INCISION GOT INFECTED AND THEN THEY HAD TO PUT IN A HEART PACE MAKER TOO. NOW THE HERNIA IS THE SIZE OF A BASKET BALL ON MY RIGHT SIDE AND I AM GOING THROUGH TESTS AT LOMA LINDA HOSPITAL TO SEE IF MY LUNGS CAN GO THROUGH ANOTHER SURGERY.AT THIS TIME I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BREATHING , WALKING, BUT I AM KEEPING MY SENCE OF HUMOR UP. THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT WHEN YOU GET ONE BAD HEALTH PROBLEM IT SEEMS THAT OTHER THINGS HAPPEN TO MAKE THINGS WORSE. I ASKED THE DOCTOR ABOUT THINGS, BUT THEY SEEM TO HAVE NO TIME TO TALK TO YOU ANY MORE, ALL THEY SAY IS SORRY THERE ISN'T ANY MORE I CAN DO FOR YOU. OUR HEALTH SYSTEM IS IN BAD SHAPE WHEN YOUR DOCTOR CAIN'T TALK TO YOU ABOUT A SERIOUS CONDITION. I DO NOT ASK FOR MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES. I THINK MONEY IS MORE NOW THAT THE SYSTEM IS GOING BROKE HERE IN CALIFORNIA, THEY MAKE UP BY OVER BOOKING AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT SOMETIMES 2 TO 3 HOURS AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT TIME. I THINK ITS SAD THAT I HAVE TO GO TO THE INTERNET FOR HELP AND ANSWERS THANK YOU
Posted by: patrecia1 | June 23, 2009 11:22 AM