Interesting article, worth a quick read
-------------------------------
Learn How to Overcome COPD-Related Stress
Are you living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Patients living with this condition learn that their symptoms can change depending on a diverse range of factors. However, one factor that can be overlooked is the stress (or anxiety) you’re dealing with at the time.
With the correct know-how, you can learn how to quell these feelings of intense stress and anxiety and improve your overall quality of life– so here’s what you need to know.
Exploring the Link Between COPD and Stress
Human beings have a built in alarm system. When threatened, our bodies produce adrenalin and get pretty tense or stressed. This alarm system can be set off by things like struggling to breathe— a concerning issue for COPD patients. The effects of this disease can put the body into a constant state of stress.
A study that was published in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine showed that 41.7% of the participants with COPD struggled with anxiety (a heightened form of stress).
This level of stress is not going to go away on its own. Research suggests that as COPD progresses, it is more likely for patients to struggle with COPD-related stress each day..
The Stress Cycle for COPD Patients
Are you familiar with the unfortunate cycle that stress can produce? Here’s how it works for COPD patients:
Your body tenses as you become stressed
This tenseness in your muscles makes it even harder to breathe
As you struggle harder to breathe, your stress levels increase
As your stress levels increase, your body and muscles become even more tense
Then this stress cycle starts over again
Stressing About the Cost of COPD MedicationThe cost of treating COPD can be significant– on your health and finances. Mounting medical bills can be a major source of stress and anxiety. This expense often comes as a shocking surprise to patients and their families, especially considering additional items like air purifiers, oxygen concentrators and extra supplements.
Health care professionals acknowledge that treating COPD can easily exceed $1 million over the course of lifetime. Medical insurance should cover a fair portion of this, but additional out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly.
It takes a measured strategy to quell the cycle of stress that COPD can produce.
Here’s What You Can Do
1. Make a list of all the stress factors in your life
2. Find time to listen to music that you find soothing and relax
3. Take a nap or rest if you start feeling overwhelmed during the day
4. Get your physician’s approval to start practicing effective breathing techniques
5. Indulge in some activities that bring you joy or make you laugh
6. Find ways to stay active and get regular exercise
7. Join a local or online support group for COPD
8. Don’t be afraid to say “no” if you’re feeling stressed out
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help When You Need ItThe support of others is an invaluable tool in the fight against COPD-related stress. The anxiety can lead to depression and can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Managing your emotional state is an important aspect of treating this disease over the long run.
Family and friends can be very helpful, but we highly recommend looking into available COPD support groups. Try Hope for COPD, it is a social support network that provides COPD sufferers with a private space to discuss their condition. Being able to share your feelings with others who know exactly what you are struggling with can make all the difference in the world.
Conclusion
Stress and COPD may be inherently linked, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find relief in your life. Make today the day you make your first steps towards a healthier life.
If you have already found success managing your stress, please share this with others as November is COPD Awareness Month.
www.achieveclinical.com/news/overcome-copd-related-stress/
