Lecture 8: Irritants
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Transcript of Lecture 8: Irritants
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Welcome to Pulmonary Rehab
IrritantsBabette Parthum, RRTClinical CoordinatorRespiratory Therapy
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● Discuss some possible irritants to a person with COPD
● What can cause a flare up and how to avoid these flare ups.
● What to do during a flare up● When to seek medical attention● How to stay healthy during flu season.
Objectives
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Learn Your Personal COPD Irritants
● Smoking, or being around smoke● Infections, such as a cold or the flu● Strong fumes, such as perfumes● Air pollution● Weather changes● Very cold or very humid air● Stress and anxiety
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Keep a diary of what causes your COPD flare ups.
● Where were you when your symptoms got worse?
● What were you doing when your symptoms got worse?
● What were the symptoms that got worse?● Were there any new symptoms?● What did you do to reduce your symptoms?● What can you do to avoid this irritant in the
future?
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How can you avoid flare ups and keep your COPD under control?
● Do not smoke! Stay away from places where people are smoking.
● Stay away from people who are sick with a cold, sore throat, flu, or pneumonia. Speak with your doctor about getting the flu and pneumonia vaccine.
● Try not to sit in traffic (exhaust fumes) or go outside if there are air pollution alerts (IE marsh fires)
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● In cold weather, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf. Try to breathe through your nose.
● In hot, humid weather, stay indoors in an air-conditioned room.
● Don’t breathe in fumes from perfumes, paint, or cleaning products.
● Learn ways to relax and manage stress. Try deep breathing or yoga.
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You may not always be able to avoid your risks. What should you do if your COPD symptoms get worse:
● Try to get away from the irritant.● Take your rescue medication as ordered by your
physician.● Perform pursed-lip breathing exercises to help reduce
shortness of breath:○ Sit in a chair upright○ Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 2○ Purse (pucker) your lips as if you were going to blow
out a candle and breathe out slowly for a count of 4.○ Repeat as needed.
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When should you seek medical attention?● When you are getting a bad cold or chest infection.● When you have a productive cough with yellow or
green mucus.● When you are using more puffs than usual of your
rescue inhalers.● When you feel like your medicine is not working as
well as it normally does.● When you are having a very hard time breathing.● When you are coughing up blood.● When you have sudden shortness of breath with or
without chest pain.
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What happens when you have COPD & get a respiratory infection?
● Having an infection can make your COPD symptoms worse. You may experience○ More shortness of breath○ Chest tightness○ More coughing and/or more mucus than usual○ Fever
Call your physician if you have any of these symptoms. You may need your medicine changed or need an antibiotic to help fight the infection.
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Pneumonia and COPD● Pneumonia is a serious disease especially for
people with COPD.● COPD patient’s already have weakened lungs.● Pneumonia can cause:
○ The lungs to fill with mucus and other fluids.■This makes it hard for oxygen to reach the
blood●Which causes the body to not function the
way it should.
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Take steps to avoid getting the flu and pneumonia.
● Take the flu shot every year in October or November (just before flu season begins)
● The people you live with should get the flu shot too. This will decrease your chance of getting the flu.
● Avoid crowds during flu season.● Wash your hands often and do not touch your
face.● Talk to your physician about getting the
pneumonia shot too.
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Conclusion● Begin to think about what your irritants are that
cause your COPD to flare up.● Keep a diary of your flare ups and share it with
your physician.● When possible, avoid the irritants that cause your
COPD to flare up.● Seek medical attention when needed. Do not
wait until it is too late.● Avoid people who are sick and stay away from
crowds during flu season. If possible get your flu and/or pneumonia shot.
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References
● American Lung Association● COPD Foundation