If you know what COPD stands for, you probably heard it from your doctor, or someone you know who has COPD.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is code word for “can’t exhale”.
If you can’t get the stale air out, you can’t reload with fresh air.
Lung disease is progressive. It sneaks up on ya.
COPD stages happen a little at a time.
Pam called me when she came home from her doctors office with a “mild copd” diagnosis.
“How can I have copd?” she asked.
“I don’t smoke.”
“They said it might be all the years I lived with a wood stove as my heat source.”
I told Pam that I could hear her upset, and just wanted to encourage her to make the most of her lung health.
“After all, mild copd means that you have time to optimize your lung function and minimize damage.”
“How in the world do I do that?” she asked.
I knew Pam was very careful about her diet so I advised plenty of fatty acids in addition to the good wholesome foods she was already eating.
I also recommended that Pam try:
- natural remedies for her cough
- an inhaler from her doctor to get better lung expansion when she was having a coughing jag
- daily use of Holosync Meditation
- and most importantly … SACRED BREATHING work
Pamela actually had the first 3 in her house, but I’m not convinced she used them. Breath work to Pamela felt impossible.
She couldn’t get out of her head.
I restated many things I have advised her to do in the past, when she has come to me with various complaints over the years.
“Are you remembering to” …
- exhale slowly?
- take a daily brisk walk in natural light?
- laugh frequently?
- get plenty of sleep?
- schedule self care?
I gave Pam that advice when she was an empty nest mom unsure of how to take care of herself after many years of neglect.
She had started a program to build her muscle mass and address her bone density concerns, and she was working to find ways to address ongoing issues with anxiety and tension.
When Pam called me after the trip to her doctor over a persistent cough, she was primary caregiver to her 3 young grand children.
Pam was overwhelmed with the reality of her deteriorating health, the fear she felt about a stranger caring for the children, and the heart ache of giving up the role as primary caregiver for her precious grand children.
I wish I could report that Pam followed all of the advice I gave her and reduced her work load.
Lung disease progresses relentlessly if it goes unchecked.
The best thing you can do is all of the above, NOW!
If you don’t increase your functional oxygen you will suffer the consequences!
The last time I bumped into Pam, she looked awful and was not at peace with herself.
I gave her a hug and whispered in her ear.
“If you can’t relax, you can’t breathe right, and if you work yourself to death, you will be dead.”
We didn’t have time to talk long. When she finished paying for her groceries, she rushed off waving good-bye with a tear in her eye and three little ones in-tow.
I didn’t mean to upset her, but it was so hard to see her forget herself.
When you can’t remember who YOU are. Self care becomes a moving target.
Get still and get to know you again.
That’s where it all starts.
With your first efforts to get completely still for even a few minutes, you will notice the tension.
Your fast paced life sweeps you up in the chaos so you are rarely aware of your tension. When you attempt to sit still, and quiet your mind, your tension can become unbearable!
Your number one priority is to release tension.
Surrender your tension and find peace!
1. Tension squeezes your lungs, and the only way to breathe more deeply is to routinely release the tension.
Addressing your bad habits that cause tension to build is a must.
If you can’t be still, you can’t release tension.
Get still and exhale your tension.
With every breath there will be more room to breathe and release tension.
2. Take time each day to work on your breathing.
Slow exhale is the secret.
3. Be active!
Even if you are wheel chair bound, or bedridden, you can work your heart and lungs by working your arms and doing leg lifts.
Move it or lose it!
If you are an able bodied person ya got no excuse!
Get your doctors ok first, but get moving.
4. Your muscles pull your lungs open, and you exhale by elastic recoil.
Fatty acids such as olive oil can help to make your lungs more stretchy and less stiff.
SO CAN WATER! So sip water all day!
If your lungs are tight and wheezy, or you have trouble blowing a candle out, do something about it!
Treat wheezing with prescription inhalants if you must, or try natural remedies, but keep trying until you find something that is effective.
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DANGER Wheezy tight lungs result in poor air exchange -> which results in decreased oxygen levels -> which weakens your heart muscle -> which leads to heart failure. |
7. Increasing your oxygenation and ventilation will powerfully improve your health.
Over breathing will cause you to release too much carbon dioxide, which will trap oxygen in your blood cells making it unavailable to you!
Improve your ventilation and expect symptoms to improve or disappear.
End COPD stages are very different than early COPD stages.
The more advanced your disease, the trickier your healing process becomes.
COPD Is NOT So Hopeless As You’ve Been Told! No matter where your disease process is, whether it’s early on or late stage …Sacred Breathing will address your concerns and get you healing. Click on the link and learn about the most important book you will ever read!
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Many blessings,
Carrie Tucker, RCP
The Life Breath Coach
Heart Failure Solutions
PS– Remember everyday:
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Relax and Release tension
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Exhale Slowly
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Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life
Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter
I have emphysema and have had for 8 yrs or so. My oxygen supply source said I could do without it while getting around home. I find that maybe if I sat still and did pursed lip breathing I could keep it to 90 but have chosen to use it 24/7. I think when they check my arterial blood it may look a lot better than what I see on my oxzimeter. I was also told that too much is as bad as too little. I wounder what is too much. Thank you for your help. Ted
Aloha Ted,
If you are NOT a carbon dioxide retainer then you are not facing any danger from using nasal oxygen.
CO2 retainers do need to get the advice of their doctor, but after speaking with you on The Life Breath Club, I’d bet my last dollar that you are NOT at the CO2 retaining end stage of lung disease!
SO, in your case, do NOT worry about giving yourself too much oxygen!!
Just try to use as little as you need so your poor nose doesn’t get so irritated!
Let me know if you have anymore questions when you join us for Monday’s meeting!
See you there!
Many blessings,
Carrie
The Life Breath Coach 😉
hello, i smoke 2 + packs of ciggs a day.im suppose to be on oxygen 24/7.my oxygen level goes down to 86. my question is when i quit smoking and start feeling and breathing better will i always be on oxygen?
Aloha Brenda,
The sooner you quit smoking and nurture yourself with whole food and learn how to optimize your breathing, you will realize your potential to heal.
Your ability to heal depends completely on your consistent focused effort.
Learn how to breathe better!
“Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book” is the most important book you will ever read!
Enter your contact info in the right sidebar to receive your invitation to The Life Breath Club’s weekly meetingand get the ongoing support you need.
Be well,
Carrie