Coping with Fatigue in COPD Patients

What is COPD?

COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties. COPD conditions include chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which are long-term, progressive diseases. Individuals living with COPD have suffered damage to their airways that can't be reversed; persistent inflammation of the airways causes narrowing of the airways and excessive mucus production.

Fatigue in COPD Patients

COPD patients note fatigue as the second most common symptom they are affected by, according to the American Lung Association. Fatigue is not simply "a tired feeling," but a lack of energy that can make completing activities of daily living such as personal grooming, cooking, and doing chores, difficult. COPD fatigue can impact mental well-being and contribute to depression, negatively impact one's ability to socialize, and even restrict mobility.

Managing Fatigue

COPD fatigue is not the kind of tiredness that can be relieved by a good night's sleep, but there are ways to reduce this symptom.

1. Stress management

Stress can act as a COPD trigger, causing you to feel anxious and breathe faster. To protect your mental and subsequently, physical wellbeing, start by identifying the situations and environments that bring on stress. Avoid putting yourself in stressful situations, when possible. Avoid spreading yourself too thin by prioritizing essential tasks and delegating non-essential tasks to others. Make time for relaxation and self-care in order to conserve your energy.

2. Planning and pacing

Plan out your day when it's called for. List out the tasks you plan to complete, breaking them down into smaller actions. Add in intentional periods of rest in between to make it easier to retain your energy levels. Pacing will allow you to conserve energy so you can do more with your time.

3. Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises can strengthen respiratory muscles and improve their endurance, as well as their efficiency. A good exercise to begin with is pursed-lip breathing. Breathe in through your nose for two seconds to fill your lungs with air. Purse your lips like you're blowing out a candle and let the air escape slowly through your mouth. Make a quiet hissing sound on your exhale. Do this four to five times each day to learn the technique so you can use it whenever you feel short of breath.

4. Living a healthy lifestyle

Individuals living with COPD have increased energy needs, as more energy is needed for breathing. Developing good sleeping habits and eating a healthy diet can allow you to meet your energy requirements. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day to help regulate your internal body clock. Be sure to create a restful environment that's dark, cool, and quiet to promote quality sleep. Trouble falling asleep? Start following a relaxing bedtime routine to cue your body to rest. Read, meditate, or try progressive muscle relaxation to calm the mind and bring on sleep. When it comes to your diet, intake protein at least twice a day to keep your muscles strong. Milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fish, and beans are all good sources of protein. Aim to consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can help reduce lung inflammation.

How Presidio Home Care Can Help 

Living with COPD can be a daily challenge. Presidio Home Care Aides are here to provide you with the support you need, from accompanying you to doctor's appointments to recording symptoms to helping you make lifestyle changes that will relieve COPD symptoms. Contact us today to learn more.