copd

Feeling tired with COPD?

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lady looking out to sea

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can leave you feeling tired and sluggish but how to help combat this feeling so you can plan ahead for everything no matter what condition you have.

Here our 4 tips to remember:

  1. Remember that you may need supplemental oxygen to help you breathe, especially when you go on vacation
  2. Especially during winter you may be low on Vitamin D so make sure you take this supplement when days are short and mornings are dark
  3. Remember to REST. When walking or doing activities plan in some rest breaks and do not try to over exert yourself too much, you will simply become very tired or wear yourself out for the rest of the day
  4. Exercise such as walking or cycling is a good form of cardio than can be done most days for about 30 minutes

Is this your first winter with medical oxygen?

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Winter and tree with no leaves

For those who may be new to using medical oxygen as a supplement to breathing this may be your first winter. Winter is not as scary as most of us think, temperatures drop and breathing can become more difficult. Just remember that as long as you are aware you can still do everything you need to each day, You are not alone and winter just means you need to be a bit more careful on how it affects you. Many patients that suffer from respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma or need to use oxygen after covid may be fearful of the temperature falling. All you need to be aware of is protecting your lungs during this season as you are exposed to the cold air.

3 tips on what to do during winter:

  1. Stay indoors a bit more during these months – for example exercise indoors more than in warmer months and make sure your home is well insulated
  2. Wrap up warm when going outside, wear extra layers or thermals to keep your body warmer
  3. Make sure your mouth and nose is covered, use breathable materials such as wool

If you are looking to travel during the winter months please do contact our team on what is required and also arrange all your medical oxygen needs. You can visit our website for further information or contact our team directly here.

Top foods for healthy lungs

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Whether or not you have a respiratory condition such as COPD, asthma or even exposure to toxins or cigarette smoke, healthy lungs are important to maintain.

There has been some research into certain food groups that have good nutrition benefits to reduce damage and help to protect this vital organ.

Here are 5 foods that could help:

1. Cocoa – now we all love chocolate so putting this one top of the list! Dark chocolate contains lots of antioxidants which help to relax the airways.

2. Coffee – again a good second choice also with its antioxidants and caffeine. Caffeine helps to open up the blood vessels which benefits people with asthma conditions.

3. Tomatoes – These contain Lycopene which is a type of antioxidant so again a great food item to reduce inflammation.

4. Turmeric – Known for its positives it contains Curcumin which is what is needed to help health improvements.

5. Apples – Eating an apple a day is true, especially with its benefits and vitamin C. Apples may help towards reducing the risk of lung cancer.

apples

Travel with oxygen to anywhere!

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It may seem a confusing time in regards to restrictions, guidelines and rules but the world is your oyster. If you maintain your safety and others you can still enjoy a vacation. Going away after all these times will feel like a breathe of fresh air you need after being indoors for the past few months. Even if you are planning next years’ travel plans this is OK as you can plan to take a much needed extended holiday trip. Maybe you want to travel the world a bit and see various places after missing out this year. It is the perfect opportunity to research, plan and book your holiday – plus it will give us something to look forward to.

Even when travelling with medical oxygen you may think there are not many places you can travel – but you are wrong. The team at OxygenWorldwide have over 20 years experience and can help arrange oxygen therapy across the world in over 130 countries.

If you have always wanted to see and discover new places, cultures of just want something different for your next adventure. Then go for it!!! Plan and research today for when you are ready to fly, boat or train across the countries of this world. There is so much to see when we are all ready.

Dont forget visit our website here and download our FREE e-book today.

1,2,3,4,5 tips to manage your COPD

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Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life.

Here are 5 tips on lifestyle changes that you can make to help you manage the disease:


1) Stop Smoking
Smoking is the number one cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Together these diseases comprise COPD. If you haven’t already quit, it’s very important to take steps to stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation strategies. Even if you do not smoke, people with COPD should avoid all inhaled irritants such as air pollution, dust, or smoke from wood-burning fireplaces.


2) Defend Against Infections
People with COPD are at risk for respiratory infections, which can trigger flare-ups. Infections that affect the airways can often be avoided with good hand-washing hygiene. Cold viruses, for instance, are often passed through touch. Simple soap and running water do a good job of removing potentially infectious germs.


3) Focus on Good Nutrition
Eating right is an important way to keep your body and your immune system strong. It may be helpful to eat smaller meals, more often. Try to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains. Cut back on red meat, sugar, and processed foods. Following this dietary pattern has been shown to help reduce chronic inflammation, while supplying plenty of fibre, antioxidants, and other nutrients to help keep you healthy.


4) Tend to Your Emotional Needs
People living with disabling diseases such as COPD occasionally succumb to anxiety, stress, or depression. Be sure to discuss any emotional issues with your doctor as they may be able to prescribe medications to help you cope or also recommend other approaches to help you cope.


5) Stay Active and Physically Fit
Research shows that exercise training can improve exercise tolerance and improve quality of life among people with mild to moderate COPD. It can also help provide relief from shortness of breath and improve your mental well-being.

OxygenWorldwide are here for all your medical oxygen needs when travelling across the globe.


References: http://www.healthline.com

Trouble breathing? Shall I keep working….

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When you are living with a condition this affects many areas of your life including your work, career and can cause additional stress upon youself. Employers should also take care and dewdiligence and there are many ways in which you can conitnue to successfully carry on working instead of long term disability.

Depending on your career and employment if you have conditions such as severe asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases here are a few simple taks you can ask your employers to undertake so that you are able to perform to your best ability each day you go to work:

  • If you workplace is large then ground floor would be much easier if you require a desk space
  • Being flexible for doctor appointments and even working from home or remote working
  • Parking near to the entrance of your workplace or even reserve a space nearer for you
  • Being near windows to allow ventilation and air as and when you require

Take care of yourself and make sure you do what is comfortable for you, if you need to take your medical oxygen to work with you then do so and make appropriate arrangements with management and the HR teams.

What we do is care – look up our OxygenWorldwide services here to see what we do for travelling with medical oxygen to keep you moving and enjoying the best out of life. Do not let anything stop you and holidays are a certain way to visit the ones you love, see cultures and experience new sites. When you book your next holiday entitlement from your job then do let us know and we can assist with all your oxygen needs.

Christmas and not letting COPD or Asthma get in the way of having fun…

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christmas-tree

At this time of year as the nights draw in common colds and flu associated with the cold weather start to appear. This doesn’t help anyone with respiratory illnesses. Christmas also brings on added stress and also excitement that may trigger asthma attacks.One of the best things you can do to make sure you have a symptom-free Christmas is to plan ahead.

Make sure you stock up on much needed medicines. Take extra care when you purchase your all important Christmas tree which can trigger attached even in artificial trees whereas real trees carry mould that breathes in warm areas so if you can place your tree in a cool area this would be better.

If you’re planning to travel this Christmas – whether it’s to visit friends or family, or go on holiday – planning ahead can help prevent problems and help you make the most of your festive time away. Small things such as dust can trigger asthma when staying at friends and family houses. Carrying anitihistamines can help or explaining to family to dust down and vacuum before you stay could help.

If you are travelling abroad then be sure to plan in advance as many places are not open all the time. Our team of experts will help plan your medical oxygen needs leaving you to enjoy and relax your special memories with your friends and family.

Just the ticket…

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Here at OxygenWorldwide we treat all our customers not just like a number. We as a team have been looking after our customers to travel with no stress with medical oxygen in over 50 countries across the globe.

Many of our customers travel with COPD, asthma, bronchitus, respiratory problems to name a few and are delighted that our services help them have their long awaited vacation, visit their loved ones many times a year.

Travelling with medical oxygen seems complicated but speak to one of our advisors and the dream can become a reality.

Can oxygen therapy prevent dementia???

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term for a group of lung conditions that cause long term breathing difficulties. It is a common condition affecting mainly middle-aged or older adults who smoke, with symptoms including breathlessness and a chesty ‘smokers’ cough. Individuals with COPD are at higher risk of dementia – one current theory suggests that this is due to lower brain oxygen levels as a result of problems with blood supply from blood vessels in the brain. In line with this theory, some studies have reported that giving COPD patients additional oxygen reduced their risk of developing dementia. However, until now, the mechanisms underlying this positive effect had not been fully investigated.
The research team found that blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain was significantly increased during reading. This was due to blood vessels in the brain becoming dilated in response to the greater oxygen demand when the brain was active. It can thus be concluded that when COPD patients receive additional oxygen it improves the function of blood vessels in their brain.
This study showed that providing extra oxygen improves the function of blood vessels in the brain by matching blood supply to the demands of the brain activity. However, COPD patients typically use this extra oxygen therapy throughout the day and for long periods of time, potentially years. This study does not indicate the influence of long term oxygen therapy on the function of blood vessels in the brain. Despite these potential limitations, this work has set the foundation for the researchers to investigate the biological systems that control oxygen delivery to the brain.
references: http://www.physoc.org/

Getting 'high' on air…

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Even the healthiest person would find it difficult to breathe during the warm and very damp weather in the summer season. The patients ailing with a chronic lung disease such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis have to be very careful. Surprisingly COPD is more common in women than men. Literally, 37% of women are more likely to have COPD than men.
Good nutrition means healthy eating. You need good nutrition to make your body stronger. You should eat a variety of foods every day. When you have COPD, preparing food and eating large meals may lead to shortness of breath. Here are some ways to help prevent shortness of breath.
Eat 6 small meals each day, instead of 3 large meals. 

Chewing and digesting food uses up oxygen. When you eat a small meal, you use up less oxygen than when you eat a large meal. In addition, a large meal fills your stomach. A full stomach presses on your diaphragm. The diaphragm is the main muscle we use to breathe. When your stomach presses on your diaphragm, it is harder for you to breathe.
Eat slowly, and breathe evenly
Avoid gas-forming foods like:

  • All beans (except green beans)
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumbers
  • Melons
  • Onions
  • Raw apples
  • Turnips

Your doctor will prescribe the type of oxygen device, the flow rate, and how and when to use it. When traveling OxygenWorldwide can supply in over 120 countries and take any stress out of the arranging of your oxygen supply.
 
ref: http://www.upmc.com