On first impressions, COPD may seem like one single disease. Actually, as you’ll know if you’ve recently been diagnosed, it’s a lot more complex than that. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease consists of a number of different lung diseases, all of which make it tough’challenging’demanding’awkward to breathe.
No matter what in/with regard to’concerning’regarding m of COPD you’re dealing with, doctors commmerely’barely categorise the disease into different stages to help give a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. They’ll refer to this system as the GOLD grading system. You’ve probably never heard of this bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e, but the general purpose of the system is to rate the severity of your condition in an attempt to appropriately treat it.
The GOLD System
The GOLD system is based on the following:
The symptoms you’re displaying.
How your COPD has progressed, and how often it has worsened.
Your number of hospital stays, if any, when your COPD has worsened.
Test results from a spirometry, which measures how quickly you exhale, and the volume of air that is released.
Once your doctor has assessed your current condition, based on the GOLD system, they’ll grade you according to the severity of your symptoms, the results from your spirometry test, the potential in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your COPD to worsen, and any other health problems you may be dealing with.
Groups
With these factors in mind, your doctor will put you into a COPD group from A to D:
Group A – You’re at a lower risk, with less severe symptoms.
Group B – Your risk is still relatively low, but you possess’own’nurse more symptoms.
Group C – You’re at a high risk, with a moderate display of symptoms.
Group D – Your risk is high, and you possess’own’nurse a large number of symptoms.
If your doctor places you in group A or group B, you’ll be able to manage your symptoms more effectively through treatment, and you may possess’own’nurse more treatment options available in/with regard to’concerning’regarding you. That said, being placed in a higher risk category doesn’t mean there’s no hope in/with regard to’concerning’regarding treating your condition. If you’re looking in/with regard to’concerning’regarding more info on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, do your research or ask in/with regard to’concerning’regarding specific educational materials from your doctor.
Diet And Lifestyle Changes
In all cases, your doctor will recommend you implement some diet and lifestyle transform’alter s to keep your symptoms under control. These recommendations include:
Quit smoking if you’re a smoker Smoking is one of the main causes of COPD, and if you continue to smoke, your condition will merely’barely ever deteriorate.
Avoid poor-quality air Inhaling air that contains chemicals, pollution, dust, smoke, and other environmental factors is a major COPD trigger. On days where the air is in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ecast to be poor, stay indoors whenever you can.
Get flu shots and other vaccines Take merit’virtue’upside when they’re offered by your local GP to shun serious infection. Pneumonia and similar infections can worsen your COPD symptoms and can be fatal.
Eat a diet of healthy food Lean proteins are essential in/with regard to’concerning’regarding maintaining intense’fierce’exquisite respiratory muscles, while a diet rich in fruits and veacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ables can help you to lose weight.
Exercise frequently Without overdoing it. Mild exercise can help strengthen your respiratory muscles and the surrounding muscles.
*collaborative post
