Category: Lung Foundation

Breathing Well Checklist for COVID-19 Part Two

As we discussed in the previous article it is important to consider a few factors so you are a good scout and prepared. We have already discussed trigger awareness, use of management plans, up to date scripts, correct inhaler technique, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette. As they say forewarned is forearmed! Take a look at these next ones:

  1. Keep your distance – when you are aware of others with symptoms, putting some space between you can reduce the risk of infection. On the other hand if you are symptomatic then help stop the spread of infection by minimising your movements and take to time to recover at home.
  2. Hands off – when friends and family are unwell then reducing the physical contact can help in reducing the risk of infection – save the hugs and kisses for when they are feeling better.
  3. Breathing efficiently – can help when things get tight in the chest and that mucous starts to build up. Try some pursed lip breathing and forward leaning postures. Refer to earlier blogs on ‘Factors Affecting Breathlessness’.
  4. Keep active – as exercise helps shift mucous build up and maintains conditioning. This can be as simple as doing a few household chores, going for a walk or going to the gym. Pace yourself and don’t overdo things if you are feeling unwell.
  5. Sleep well – rest gives you balance to your daily activities by repairing and energising us.
  6. Stay hydrated – our bodies are happier when we keep a balance to our intake of fluids.
  7. Immune support to help your body fight infection is often overlooked but can be a useful tool in your arsenal – check with your GP or health professional for more information.

As you can see there is a lot of self management that you can be in control of to lower your risk of illness this winter season.

Breathing Well Checklist for COVID-19 Part One

There has been a lot of media in the last few weeks that would make even the strongest person feel worried. But to keep it simple here are a few tips I will be sharing with my regulars that I thought would be useful for pulmonary/respiratory/cardiac/anyone with breathing problems, breathlessness, or shortness of breath difficulties:

  1. Know your triggers – awareness of what sets off your breathlessness is pivotal in forming a management plan. Knowing your own symptoms and having your COPD/Asthma management plan in place is a starting point. https://lungfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Information-paper-COPD-Action-Plan-Kit-Feb2019.pdf or https://asthma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/341-NAC-Written-Asthma-Action-Plan-2015_Colour.pdf
  2. Make sure your scripts are up to date and you have a supply of medication with your spacer with you ready when needed.
  3. Know your inhaler technique – if you need to check then go to the Lung Foundation website to view videos on how to be effective in using your devices or ask your allied health professional. https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/?search=technique
  4. Hand Hygiene – important in reducing the risk of infection. Check out this Department of Health publication on how to wash your hands. It should take you 15-20 seconds to complete the task of hand washing, try singing a song with your children to help them stay at the basin longer. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/A1CCE88EB168930CCA257E35007F6927/$File/wash_dry_hands.pdf
  5. Cough Etiquette is equally important – coughing into your hand and then spreading the infection through touch can simply be avoided by following precautions such as using a tissue or coughing into your sleeve. Check out this poster at https://www.nqphn.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/00883-Cough-etiquette-poster-A3.pdf

Spend the time making new healthy habits, lowering your risk and improving your self management. Remember to keep a look out for Part 2 of this article..

Inhaler Myths vs Techniques

One thing I’ve found is that there are a lot of ideas floating around about how to use inhalers but they are not necessarily the right ideas. Things get foggy as time passes since you’ve been shown how to use your inhaler or it may be that you were shown a technique years ago that has since been updated and changed after more recent research findings. When techniques are used effectively more medication reaches your lungs.

The other reason for incorrect technique is simply that your illness has outgrown your methods. The constant tightness or inflexibility of your lungs means you can’t take a deep breath anymore and gentle tidal breathing with a spacer or nebuliser may be the way to go from now on.

There are lots of devices and medications out there so it’s important to check annually, when you do a GP review of your COPD plan, that the way you are using your inhaler is the most effective way for you to get the medication into your lungs, after all that’s the main point isn’t it?

If you’re not sure, get in touch with your Doctor, Community Nurse, or Pulmonary Allied Health professional and ask them for a demonstration. The Lung Foundation has a patient resource page with videos and fact sheets on techniques specific to your device at: https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/?search=inhaler%20device

Don’t leave it to work itself out but be pro active and self manage your way to effective use of your medications with good inhaler technique.

From the Horses Mouth

A recent Lung Foundation Seminar at Chermside had two lovely ladies give their knowledgable tips on coping with chronic breathlessness. Thank you to Lyn McDade and Joanne Smith! Have a try of these top 10:

  1. Understand your limits by listening to your body
  2. Go gently on difficult days but keep going.
  3. Connect with peers, friends and support groups
  4. Stress management and meditation
  5. Avoid foods that increase inflammatory responses in the body
  6. Complimentary medicine pathways
  7. Quiet Time and Prayer
  8. Exercise – walk groups, yoga, massage, hydrotherapy
  9. Self care as a prevention tool – layering for cold sensitivity
  10. Avoid ill acquaintances and high risk situations – busy crowds in flu season!

A Simple Fan to Reduce your Sense of Breathlessness

Breathlessness can be anxiety provoking when trying to get a job done and exert yourself. There is a lot of research that suggests that movement of air across the face and nose can reduce a persons sense of breathlessness and hence their level of anxiety .  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20471544

The main benefit is that it reduces your recovery time and is a self management  tool you can take anywhere you need it. If you don’t have a hand held fan in the moment then sit by an open window or on the verandah so the breeze crosses your face, especially the nose and mouth, and it may also help.

A hand held fan held 15- 20cm from the face works through cooling the nose and mouth with receptor messages sent to the brain altering the person’s sense of breathlessness, if your nose is blocked or mouth dry then it will be less effective.

The Lung Foundation has fans for sale in its online shop, alternatively they can be found with other retailers such as those specialising in electricals.

Hand-held fan

 

Health Education: Pneumonia Awareness Week 13-20 May

Keeping warm as the temperature drops morning and afternoon is key to staying well this week in Brisbane but we also need to keep an eye on our friends and family for symptoms that could be ignored as a simple cold.

Awareness of the symptoms Pneumonia, a serious condition, is one way you can help those you know and love who are considered to be at risk –  those with a chronic medical condition, a smoker, if they are 65 years or under 12 months of age.

Encourage them to get a medical check up with their practitioner if – difficulty breathing; fever; chest pain; cough; and fatigue. And if in doubt get it checked out, anyway.

For more information you can find a brochure on the Lung Foundation website at: www.lungfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Lung-Foundation_Infographic_Pneumonia_Final.pdf