Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – or COPD – is a chronic, progressive lung disease that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, incurable asthma and more. While each of these conditions has its own unique symptoms, the common denominator is that they all cause difficulty with breathing. And that difficulty results in what’s known as COPD fatigue.
What’s unique about COPD fatigue?
Fatigue isn’t the same thing as tiredness, or even exhaustion. That can be taken care of with a good night’s sleep or two. The thing with COPD fatigue is that it’s chronic. Sleep doesn’t make it go away, because lack of sleep isn’t causing it.
Accord to the COPD Foundation, the factors that result in fatigue are:
- The gradual decrease in the lung’s ability to function means that the body needs to work harder in order to breathe. That effort drains the body of energy.
- Inability to exercise. Studies show that an increase in exercise results in a decrease in fatigue. But those who suffer from COPD are limited in the exercise they can do.
- Depression. Unfortunately, depression is common in those with COPD
- Quality of life issues. When you feel that your quality of life is on a downward spiral, it’s hard to have energy.
You can cope.
All of this might sound a bit depressing. But the good news is that, while COPD has no cure, you can still fight COPD fatigue. Here are 7 battle strategies:
1) Start pacing.
Pacing here means, pace your activities. If there’s something you want to do – whether it’s learning a new skill or just getting the laundry done – and you think it’s going to leave you feeling fatigued, break it up into smaller steps. Then rest in between. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish like that. It might take you longer but you’ll feel a lot better.
2) Get more sun.
Sunlight gets more blood to your brain, and that makes you feel better all around. Sunshine also boosts serotonin levels, and – as we all know – more serotonin means better moods and more energy. All that Vitamin D doesn’t hurt, either. So slather on the sunscreen and head outside.
3) Eat breakfast.
Breakfast is a meal so many of us tend to skip. Not a good move. Eating a breakfast with whole grains, protein and (depending on what else you have going on) a fruit will start your day right and help keep you balanced throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be huge – large meals might leave you breathless – but don’t skip it.
4) Stay hydrated.
The 4th COPD fatigue tip is: drink, drink, drink. According to the American Lung Association, you should drink 6-8 glasses of fluids, spread out over the course of each day. Beyond regular old dehydration prevention, getting enough fluids can keep symptoms like coughing from getting worse.
5) Eat well.
When fatigue sets in, it can be very tempting to skip meals and eat energy bars (at best) or grab a chocolate bar (at worst). The problem is, that just exacerbates the problem and makes you more fatigued. On the other hand, complex carbs, lean proteins, and lots of fiber will go a long way to making you feel more awake and more alive. If you live at home, see if other family members or friends can help with menu planning and even actual cooking. And if you live in an assisted living facility, make sure to tell the kitchen staff about your dietary needs,
6) Exercise.
Yes, really. It might sound like the last thing to do when COPD fatigue sets in. The truth is exactly the opposite, though; physical activity will help you feel more energized, not less. That doesn’t mean you have to start running marathons, of course. Stretches, yoga, walking, treadmills and elliptical trainers…all these can be done at low impact and low intensity. You might also want to try a pulmonary rehab class. In any event, do check with your primary physician before you start any kind of exercise regimen.
7) Get your beauty sleep.
While getting more sleep won’t necessarily improve COPD fatigue, getting enough sleep is crucial. If your body is sleep-deprived, you’re going to feel very tired very quickly, no matter who you are or what your medical situation is. That goes double for COPD – especially since side complications like coughing and sleep apnea can keep you from sleeping through the night. So practice your good sleeping habits: Go to sleep and wake up about the same time every day, make sure your room is cool, comfortable and quiet, and try to turn off all your devices at least an hour before you go to sleep.
One last tip: Sometimes, what you need is just a break. If you suffer from COPD and feel extra-burned out, consider going to a relative or, if you can, book a short-term stay at an assisted living facility. It might give you the break and the rest you need to keep fighting the good fight!
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