Your doctor will gather a thorough history of your symptoms, including a history of your smoking habits if applicable. You may undergo various lung function tests that measure the volume of air expelled in a single breath, the force with which air is expelled, the amount of air expelled in a second, and the amount of air remaining after exhaling. Tests also may be ordered to monitor the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Practices such as not smoking, avoiding polluted air or environments where the air is too hot, too cold, or too thin, and taking precautions to protect oneself against respiratory infections can help slow the advance of the disease. And, increasing fluid intake will thin mucus secretions.
Physical conditioning can tone respiratory muscles and slow the respiratory rate.
Learning correct breathing techniques helps make the best use of limited lung capacity. Oxygen therapy may be needed in advanced stages of the disease. Finally, as are patients with any chronic illness, COPD patients are susceptible to depression. Be alert for the signs and symptoms. All rights reserved.