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December 13, 2005
Dialing Up The Answers
We get many questions to our American Lung Association Helpline (1-800-LUNG-USA). The Helpline is staffed with respiratory therapists and smoking cessation experts and they are available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST to help with your questions. The Helpline is one of the many resources provided by the American Lung Association.
Here is a frequent question we receive that I thought you might find interesting:
Question: I have COPD, does that mean I can’t exercise anymore?
Answer: Inactivity is a vicious cycle. Some people with lung disease try to exercise and get short of breath so they stop. Sometimes you may feel too tired to do many of the things you like to do. If you've been in the hospital or you've been sick at home, your body may be weak and out of shape. Pretty soon, it seems impossible to exercise because of muscle weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath.
You can build yourself up with exercise and get back in shape. Exercise is important to:
- Build and maintain strength by helping you use oxygen more efficiently
- Maintain the flexibility of your bones and joints
- Build stamina and be able to increase the amount of activity you can in addition to managing your weight
Although exercise will not reverse your lung disease, it will help you take more control of your condition by improving your everyday quality of life and maintaining your independence.
We welcome your comments. If you have specific questions, please click here or call 1-800-LUNG-USA
Posted by lungblogposter at December 13, 2005 07:49 AM
Comments
For several years I have been a Facilitator with the "Freedom From Smoking" program. In fact, I just completed the 28 class.
My experience with persons who quit smoking often results in remarkable success in breathing. There have been some smokers who, because of shortness of breath, could not climb stairs. Within a few weeks after quitting, they were on a walking program up to two miles. Most of these are LONG time (20-as many as 50 yrs) smokers. It is wonderful to see such beneficial changes after quitting smoking. Furthermore, the success rate
(with a 12 month follow-up) has been about 65%!
The American Lung's "Freedom From Smoking" program does work!
Posted by: nanci Myers at December 18, 2005 12:20 PM
im thinking about getting a lung transplant, is this a good ideal.thank you
Posted by: Betty Herrera at December 30, 2005 12:53 PM
I have been diagnosed with copd on nov 23 2005. My question is the pfts tests fall into three catagories spiromety, lung volume, and diffusion. I have good to above normal results in first two catagories and poor results on diffusion. What does all of that mean, as a example my fev1 is 111% and my dlco/va is 43%
how is that explained..
Thanks dan.
Posted by: Dan at December 30, 2005 03:36 PM
I have COPD and am 67 years old. I do a power walk/run once a week. I do a power bike for 5 miles two times a week. I lift weights for about 30 to 40 minutes afterwards plus some yoga. I also walk 5 miles on Sundays.
Posted by: Bob at December 30, 2006 12:41 PM
