Is there any information about COPD sufferers having increased breathing difficulty when having a full bladder? My father has COPD, but recently has had severe breathlessness when his bladder is full. Has anybody experienced or heard of anything similar? He has not noticed that he has a full bladder until his breathing deteriorates rapidly and has always managed to get to the toilet, but is worried that it is not predictable and has only just started to affect him.
For further information;- he is 80 years old and has to use oxygen bottles when doing anything strenuous.
He has recently had a heart attack and cannot have an operation, so has been let out and put on beta-blockers.
Hyperinflation of lungs
Hi All, New here... Restrictive Lung issue?
I seem to be lurching from pillar to post, Oxygen compressors advice
Issue but no diagnosis 
Hi
A full bladder will put pressure on your lungs, similar to bending.
Try eating smaller lighter meals which are easier to digest. or if constipated try a mild laxative.
Foods easy to digest.
newhealthadvisor.com/Easily...
Thank you Stone Uk, those are good suggestions.
I think my dad is more worried about why this has suddenly come about, but that may be too difficult to get to the bottom of. He also has to use a catheter, which is fiddly and I think he tries to put off going because it tires him out going backwards and forwards to the toilet. He really should drink a lot more water too, but again....
I think you are right about the additional pressure on his lungs, but I think that he may have put a bit of weight on while in hospital, so the two combined may be making it worse. Thank you for your help, it is good to hear opinions from people who live with COPD and people and families affected by it.
You talking about him cutting down on fluid intake to reduce need to pee, I was told by a Nurse I worked with for years that this actually can aggravate the problem, she said that by reducing the fluid intake, the chemical changes (stronger urine) meant that your body wanted to urinate more frequently, might be worth checking out if this is so. The other thing you can do, is keep a urine bottle hidden under the chair, so he can deal with a sudden urge without trying to run to the loo. I have a similar issue relating to a full bladder, and reaction when a specific area of intestines are full, frequence and unannounced bladder emptying especially when bending over, I find Tena and other such underwear invaluable. Such a shame urine bottles for women are so difficult to use!!!