Having a lung transplant may improve your quality of life and allow you to perform more activities, but it has not been shown to increase 10-year survival rates in people with COPD. When you make the decision to quit, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor and check out some of the many helpful quit-smoking resources that are available online. Seven questions to ask your patients about asthma. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Below you’ll find ten questions you should ask your doctor after you’ve been diagnosed with COPD. Unfortunately, in some cases, the exact culprit is difficult to find. Your doctor will use the results of these tests to better understand your disease and find the best ways to treat it. Questions for Your Doctor Anesthesia - what to ask your doctor - adult. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute calculates that 3.5 million rural Americans have COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Still, no matter what stage your official diagnosis says, the disease affects everyone differently. As we talked about earlier, smoking cessation is the number one priority if you smoke. A study published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease suggested the following comparative life expectancy rates:. But in order to be well-informed and involved in your treatment, you need the support of a doctor that is friendly, patient, and willing to take the time to help you understand more about health and your disease. Sign up for emails. Talking to your doctor ahead of time can help you feel more prepared if the time to begin oxygen therapy eventually comes. Before your doctor diagnoses your COPD, he will likely use a variety of tests, including spirometry (a basic lung function test), a chest X-ray, and pulse oximetry (a way to measure blood oxygen saturation). Questions to ask your doctor about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) You must never be embarrassed to ask your doctor a question about your COPD. As you read through the questions in this guide, they may even remind you of other questions and concerns you want discuss. • Does patient routinely use oxygen? Questions to Assess Your COPD Risk . When you get diagnosed with COPD, ask your doctor to take the time to thoroughly explain your condition, including the difference between emphysema and chronic bronchitis and what kind of COPD you have. Common illnesses like the cold or flu can trigger exacerbations, as well as more serious illnesses like pneumonia and infections in your lungs. Unfortunately, there is no actual cure for COPD. In general, just about anything that repeatedly irritates and damages your lungs over time can cause COPD. This is a good question to discuss with your doctor. It’s hard to know where to start and what questions to ask. You’ve been diagnosed with COPD. What is your role as my disease progresses? Questions to Ask Your Doctor About COPD . ... Not smoking is the absolute best way to prevent COPD. For instance, two people who are diagnosed with the same stage of COPD could have different symptoms and complications, and their diseases could progress at different speeds. He can also tell you about tools and medical aids that can make life easier if you suffer from limited strength and mobility. Targeted therapy: questions to ask your doctor. That's why you should ask your doctor to tell you all about COPD triggers. Even if you've used an inhaler before, it's important to review the correct technique and make sure you know how to use your particular type of inhaled medication. A COPD exacerbation happens when your symptoms get noticeably worse for an extended period of time, usually after you get sick. Making other lifestyle changes, such as being more active and improving your diet, may also slow the rate at which your COPD worsens. In fact, some studies suggest that between 25% and 45% of people diagnosed with COPD have never smoked.. Keep in mind that side effects are much more likely when you don't follow the correct dosage. Make it your goal to never leave the doctor's office with unanswered questions or concerns. First, you will need to ask your doctor to explain what each of your medications are and what they are supposed to do. Click Here for COVID-19 Information for the COPD Community: Updated December 22nd! Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Severe COPD. Take these questions with you to your next health care professional visit. Some inhalers and nebulizers can be tricky to use. Here are seven essential questions to ask your doctor. He can also give you personalized advice for improving your diet, sleep, energy levels, and addressing any other problems related to your COPD. The disease can affect your bones, your muscles, your immune system, your digestion, and even your mental health. Ask him what symptoms you should look out for, what medications you should take, and at what point you should call or schedule an appointment with him when your symptoms get worse. Tell him which things you don't understand and don't hesitate to ask for more details, examples, and clarification if you need to. Like all adults, it's important for people with COPD to eat a well-balanced diet full of whole foods, lean meats, and lots of fruits and veggies. Although no one can accurately predict your life expectancy after a COPD diagnosis, the prognosis of the disease depends upon several factors—most importantly, whether or not you still smoke. While COPD can be diagnosed through family history and symptoms, ask your doctor about getting lung function tests, suggests Dr. Ferguson. By using your doctor as a resource and following his advice, you may be able to significantly reduce the negative toll that COPD has on your life. An alarming number of COPD patients don't use their inhalers correctly, which is why it's so important to double-check your technique. In this post, we're going to go over a variety of questions that you can ask your doctor about your COPD. He should put together a comprehensive COPD treatment plan for you and address any problems, challenges, or changes that happen along the way. Asking your doctor these questions will help you get the information you need to understand the diagnosis, manage the condition, and start determining your treatment plan. Has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with a lung disease? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is estimated to affect 32 million persons in the United States and is the third leading cause of death in this country. When you first get diagnosed, your doctor will likely place your disease within one of four distinct stages. True or False: COPD is reversible and tends to happens gradually. You should also ask your doctor what he can recommend you to do that could improve your quality of life or slow down the progression of your COPD. For instance, your lungs could be primarily affected by emphysema but also show signs of mild chronic bronchitis. He feels that … Your doctor can also give you some tips and tricks for practicing good hygiene and avoiding germs to reduce your chances of getting sick. This is a quiz that contains NCLEX review questions about COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Although smoking is by far the most common cause of COPD, many other things can cause the disease. Lead author of a new update on the pathogenesis of COPD, Sukhwinder S. Sohal, PhD, answered our questions. Both COPD and lung cancer share smoking as a common risk factor, while the presence of COPD itself acts as an additional independent risk factor for lung cancer. "The goal is to make asthmatics responsible for their care at home; recognize when they are able to adequately treat themselves at … They may also develop high blood pressure, heart problems, lung cancer, depression, confusion and memory loss. Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on January 23, 2019. Wu J, Sin DD. You should also ask him about any other risk factors you may have that could make you more prone to developing those conditions. That's why it's so important to find a doctor that you can trust and communicate with openly. Ask questions and get answers from our COPD.net advocate team and fellow community members around anything related to COPD in our website's Q&A section. Don’t be shy, ask! Let your doctor know how well the medication is working and alert him to any side effects right away. It is a disease that requires constant treatment and management, and the stress of living with chronic symptoms can be a lot to bear. Having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be overwhelming. This information will allow you to research the condition on your own. Questions to Ask Your Doctor After Diagnosis When you receive a new medical diagnosis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Working with your healthcare team and asking the right questions can help you better understand how COPD affects you and learn how to manage your symptoms. There are three values measured in spirometry that are critically important to making a COPD diagnosis: your forced vital capacity (FVC), your forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the ratio of your FEV1 to your FVC (FEV1/FVC). While there is no cure for COPD, there are effective treatments that can help you live your healthiest life possible, should you receive a diagnosis. A COPD diagnosis can leave you overwhelmed, but asking the right questions can help. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. However, quitting smoking is no trivial task; it is extremely difficult, and most people try quitting many times before they are successful. Your doctor can tell you what kinds of exercises are safe and help you find activities that are appropriate for your level of fitness. The disease is progressive, meaning that it generally gets worse over time. How is it treated? Then, you need to know when to take each medication and how to get the correct dose. On the other hand, quitting smoking may actually improve your COPD in a variety of noticeable ways. To date, there are no medications that are proven to increase survival in COPD. In general, the best way to slow how quickly COPD gets worse is to always take your medication and make the healthy lifestyle changes your doctor recommends. Some people with COPD have just one of these conditions, while others have a combination of both. Use this COPD Management Plan to stay organized. Here are some questions to ask your doctor during your visit. Stage 1 COPD is the most mild, while stage 4 COPD is the last, most serious stage of the disease. Continue to ask questions and get as much information as you can as your symptoms change and your disease progresses. • Does the patient have dyspnea with routine activity? He can also give you tips for reducing shortness of breath and managing your symptoms during physical activity. Subscribe. Obtain medical consultation if the condition is poorly controlled (as manifested by If you've been diagnosed with COPD, you probably have a lot of questions for your doctor about the disease.What causes it? A patient is presenting with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This can be a confusing — and even overwhelming — time. It also means helping you find ways to adjust your lifestyle and structure your habits around your physical limits and the constraints of your disease. You should also ask your doctor if there are any immunizations you need to protect yourself from exacerbation-triggering illnesses and infections. The children asked very few questions, and the fathers made all the decisions while dispensing sage advice. With that said, five-year survival rates for people who undergo lung transplants are in the range of 54%, while one- and three-year survival rates average 80% and 65% respectively.. Top 8 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About COPD A COPD diagnosis can leave you overwhelmed, but asking the right questions can help. Understanding the tests that will be run will help you to better prepare for them. Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your lungs. You just have to take it slow, start with light activities you can manage, and gradually do more as your physical abilities improve. Ask yourself them today to help you better determine if you should seek further testing. If you've been diagnosed with COPD, you probably have a lot of questions for your doctor about the disease. Take this document with you to your next appointment to remember important questions and to jot down notes! 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor about COPD 1. Most of this information should be contained in your COPD action plan, which instructs you on how to manage your symptoms day after day. Thus, with a little help from the American Lung Society Association , we thought you’d like some questions to discuss with your doctor and other members of your pulmonary care team. The questionnaire is only the first step in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and is not meant to replace specific medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. But your doctor can help. He can also clear up any questions or worries you have about using supplemental oxygen. Here are some questions that are important to ask your doctor after being diagnosed with COPD and about oxygen therapy. COPD, hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(3306744, 'b59df0c1-c4de-47a8-8e1c-0d33d4b414aa', {}); However, it can be easy to get distracted or forget any questions you have once you're actually in the office with your doctor. How Long Can I Live If I Get Colon Cancer? There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but you can manage the symptoms through aggressive planning with you doctor. COPD symptoms like poor lung function and inflammation put incredible strain on the heart, frequently leading to high blood pressure, heart disease, and sometimes even heart attacks. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. For example, cardiovascular problems are some of the most common and serious COPD-related complications. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease damages your lungs. That's why you should never be afraid to ask your doctor for more details and information about any of your medical test results. That's why you should ask your doctor to help you put together an exercise plan that is feasible and suitable for you. Can you explain the tests you are running? Contrary to popular belief, smoking is not the only cause of COPD. Your doctor will do some tests, like spirometry, at every check-up appointment to help him monitor changes in your lung function over time. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor about what you can do to keep yourself as healthy as possible with COPD. When you’re diagnosed with COPD, it can become an overwhelming experience. Radiation therapy - questions to ask your doctor. Current smokers with stage 1 COPD have an average life expectancy of 14 years. Why should I quit smoking if I already have COPD? Many patients are able to overcome obstacles and get on the track to better physical fitness by working with a personal trainer, physical therapist, or joining a pulmonary rehabilitation class. Or questions that you … When going to see your pulmonologist or PCP, are there questions related to COPD that you find yourself asking at each visit? 2009;4:137-48. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will help create more-effective, and even preventive, therapies for patients. 1. Patients typically have symptoms of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but the classic triad also includes asthma (see the image below). Oxygen therapy isn't usually needed unless your lungs get to the point that they are no longer able to keep your blood saturated with oxygen on their own—a condition known as chronic hypoxemia. 2017;9(8):2684-91. doi:10.21037/jtd.2017.07.85, 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About COPD, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. Make sure you fully understand what you should do to help maintain your health and keep your COPD … You should also tell your doctor all about your lifestyle and home environment so he can help you identify any activities or conditions in your life that might trigger your symptoms. Immunotherapy: questions to ask your doctor. COPD, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is an incurable yet treatable… If you're not quite sure what questions to ask, consider the following list of 10 questions that you can discuss with your doctor during your next appointment. Jan 14, 2019 10:24:22 AM / by According to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease, COPD is divided into four stages: mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. Here are some things your doctor might want to know when discussing the cause of your COPD: If you have COPD, you will go through many different types of tests both before and after your diagnosis to help your doctor monitor and treat your disease.

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