1、 What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable chronic airway disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation and corresponding respiratory symptoms in patients. The airflow limitation is not completely reversible and often progresses in a progressive manner. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients require lifelong treatment, and long-term standardized inhalation medication is the core of treatment for stable patients. However, in the management process of stable COPD patients, the correct use of inhalation devices is low and treatment compliance is poor. In addition, chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes are often associated with COPD patients, and these complications often involve the simultaneous use of multiple drugs. There are drug risks caused by potential drug interactions, which affect the prognosis of patients.
2、 What are the management methods for the stable phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Management objective:
(1) Reduce current symptoms: alleviate respiratory symptoms, improve exercise tolerance and quality of life;
(2) Reduce future risks: delay disease progression, reduce the risk of acute exacerbation and death.
1. Health education: Through health education, patients and related personnel can improve their understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their ability to handle the disease themselves, better cooperate with treatment and strengthen preventive measures, reduce recurrent exacerbations, maintain stable condition, and improve quality of life.
2. No smoking: Smoking can induce and worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, so patients should not smoke themselves, prohibit others from smoking in the room, and avoid smoking areas as much as possible.
3. Respiratory training: using pursed lip breathing, abdominal breathing, partial breathing method, and strengthening respiratory muscle training. To improve ventilation; Improve the elasticity of the lungs and chest; Maintain and increase the mobility of the chest, strengthen effective coughing; Strengthen respiratory muscles and improve respiratory coordination; Enhance the patient's physical fitness.
4. Stable phase drug therapy: The main therapeutic effect of bronchodilators is to alleviate bronchial smooth muscle spasms, dilate the bronchi, and reduce the degree of airflow obstruction, thereby relieving symptoms. Currently, inhalants are the preferred treatment method. Although long-acting bronchodilators are expensive, their efficacy is far superior to short acting preparations. For patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term regular use of inhaled corticosteroids should be done under the guidance of a physician.
5. Exercise: cycling, mountain climbing, going up and down stairs, qigong, tai chi, household chores, etc. However, it should be noted that the amount of exercise should be increased when the individual feels slightly tired without difficulty breathing, with a heart rate of less than 20 beats per minute and an increase in breathing of less than 5 beats per minute when the heart rate is relatively quiet; Stop exercising if there is difficulty breathing during the exercise process.
6. Home oxygen therapy: It is generally recommended to use low flow oxygen therapy, 1-2 L/min, but it is important to note that oxygen is a flammable and explosive gas. Smoking and the use of open flames are strictly prohibited in smoking rooms. To achieve fire prevention, heat resistance, oil resistance, and earthquake resistance. The oxygen concentrator should be at least 5 meters away from an open flame and 1 meter away from the heating system.
7. Supplement nutrition: Drink water, easily digestible foods, consume more foods rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and trace elements, avoid spicy food, barbecue, and alcohol, and eat more foods that nourish yin and moisten the lungs, such as pears and lilies.
8. Avoid catching a cold: Pay attention to keeping warm and avoiding colds. During the flu season, try not to enter public places and wear masks if necessary.
9. Vaccination: Clinical studies have shown that receiving influenza vaccines and promoting the use of pneumococcal vaccines can reduce the risk of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These two vaccines can also be administered in combination, and compared to receiving influenza vaccine or pneumococcal vaccine alone, the hospitalization and mortality rates of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are significantly reduced.
10. Psychological intervention: Long term recurrent symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease significantly increase the psychological burden on patients, causing great psychological harm to them. Most patients do not cooperate with pulmonary rehabilitation and other related treatments due to anxiety, depression, and other disorders. For mild patients, we can help them build confidence and turn passivity into proactivity through psychological support such as communication, induction, inspiration, and motivation. For patients with severe psychological disorders, professional psychological treatment should be administered.
The management of stable COPD is crucial for improving disease prognosis, enhancing patient clinical outcomes, improving treatment compliance and satisfaction, reducing acute attack rates, and ultimately improving the level of COPD treatment.