copd

[les4560]

ok so I don't know much about copd yet,so can someone tell me what a exacerbation is? I have been reading that a lot

[sassy59]

Hello, it’s a flare up of symptoms/ chest infection. Xxxx

[les4560 in reply to sassy59]

thank you!

[les4560]

thank you,i could of googled it but am trying to stay a way from goggle it is too scary!

[Hidden in reply to les4560]

Well done you no keep going

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi les4560, a flare up is a chest infection. It's your body's way of saying fix me. 😊 Bernadette xx

[les4560 in reply to Damon1864]

thank you so much there I s so much I have to learn but am afraid to go any where because I might get a cold and antibiotics is scary!

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to les4560]

You will be fine you could always cover your nose and mouth with a mask or scarfe.take care have a good night 😊 Bernadette xx

[les4560 in reply to Damon1864]

thank you so much as I do just that -you are so sweet to respond ,you said have a good night is it bed time over there?

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to les4560]

Yes it's nineoclock at night I like to go to bed early. Where do you live , I live in Nottinghamshire 😊 Bernadette xx

[les4560 in reply to Damon1864]

OH WOW! I had no ideal the time difference-I live in the U.S and it is 2:15 in the afternoon!

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to les4560]

I hope you have a good day and please take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[les4560 in reply to Damon1864]

thank you and you do the same!

[Minkywhire in reply to les4560]

Get that you're scared to go anywhere. I was the same, but kept it to myself and went out anyway. Remember the following precautions. Wash hands like a nutter and or use anti-bacterial hand sanitiser regularly. Especially when out and about. It nips a little, but put some of the sanitizer directly into your nostrils, that stopped a cold developing on one occasion. Difficult as it may be, try not to physically embrace people. Especially kissing on the mouth. This is a hard one with family and friends, but find tactful ways round it if you can. Having said all this, GO OUT and have fun. You need distraction with this thing or it will consume you. Best of luck X

[les4560 in reply to Minkywhire]

thank you so much for the advice about how this will consume me; it all ready has,my husband said he was going to hid my laptop and my my I phone 10r because he said I wont make it until March 5th he said I will go crazy by than ,but he does not understand how scary it is not to now anything about what you have-I DO NOT KNOW what a TRACE of emphysema is I DO NOT KNOW what stage im in or what to do!! so luck I found this site for I am learning a little bit -everyone is so nice

[Sandyeggo]

You are smart don’t use google thinking you’ll get the famous “google doctors”. None of us here are doctors either. So very important you become close w/your doc, build relationships so you have a healthcare provider you trust and doesn’t just brush you off. Please don’t get paranoid about catching a cold every time you go outside. Please continue to live your life, take necessary precautions but above all breath and laugh. An exacerbation is a “flare up” or irritation- it can be mild or severe or in between. I personally call it a coughing spase episode. Or I make other jokes about my own health like I need to go to a cougher’s anonymous meeting. Don’t worry too much you’ll get through it. Most important medecine is healthy food, plenty of water( not the kind with sugar just the plain version, exercise as much as possible. Sunshine and fresh air! And just smile even if you’re not happy til it becomes your regular way

[Yogibreath in reply to Sandyeggo]

Such good advice. This helps me.

[Juliette011]

Hi Les, I'm pretty sure the others have explained but...Yes an exacerbation is when you have a bug on board which is basically a chest infection which creates nasty symptoms similar to the flu, could turn into pneumonia; so we try and avoid these!! Bottom line with the flu like symptoms the breathing is so much harder with copd. And copd is chronic emphysema, bronchitis and asthma...one with the lot!! So when an infection happens all those illnesses ramp right on up!! It's the very poor breathing which is the kicker! So if you have this thing and you haven't been to a pulmonary rehab course get onto it (you learn heaps) use your puffa's and any meds that you need and eat healthy, exercise, whatever you are able to do and try and stay positive and connected to good people, laughter is the bees knees!! This is not mean to scare, just thorough! All the very best.

[austral]

It i s bad flare up and to can't draw heath and need to call 999 hope this helps xx

[robert1957]

please research magnesium deficiency and symptoms of magnesium deficiency also benefits of vitamin d3 k2 Mk 7 goodluck

[poppy08]

Hi there exacerbation just means a worsening of the condition. Nothing sinister I am told by my response nurse. Regards

[poppy08]

RegardsHi there exacerbation just means a worsening of the condition. Nothing sinister I am told by my response nurse. Regards

[Slaughteress]

I had my last exacerbation 2 weeks ago. It is a chest infection but having copd makes it harder for us guys than the average person who doesn't to recover cos we have two things to deal with. Also its working out after an exacerbation what ur new baseline is with ur copd cos it does change/vary. I doing better now but u cant let ir grind u down ,u gotta keep living life as best u can . Keep ue chin up hun

[Lilianne]

Hi, I always thought that Exacerbation was to irritate or aggravate, basically to make things worse!! Hopefully that is not what you are doing. Lilianne.

[les4560]

LiIianne, hi there no I just heard that word a lot and wasn't sure what it was-wont google nothing any more for it is to scary, as for my copd I do not know anything yet except blood oxygen level drops so I wont know any thing until I see my pulmonologist march 5th!

[jackdup]

You can also have an exacerbation without having a chest infection. It is basically a worsening of symptoms but can have more than one cause.

[les4560 in reply to jackdup]

OH WOW that's scary cause I just finished a z-pack for some kind of infection to my head I even lost my voice for 3 days the doctor had to take me off of my cpap mask, do you think that made my condition worse it was not to the chest?

[jackdup in reply to les4560]

If you lost your voice for three days it would seem you may have some inflammation in your chest/lungs/throat which could impact your breathing. Of course only a doctor can examine you or diagnose whether you have a lung infection or any infection. You can have inflammation in your lungs without having an infection which would impact your breathing. Most of my exacerbations were not the result of an infection.

[les4560]

so happy you responded that is so sweet,but are you saying I already had emp. did not know it and it got worse? god I hope you don't think im REALLY dumb LOL

[les4560]

I understand and thank you

[les4560]

thank you!

[HikesWithDogs]

Your doctor can teach you how to tell when you are having an exacerbation so you can get prednisone and antibiotics (which I am also afraid of due to allergies to them), to help prevent the exacerbation from putting you in the hospital. It seems from the responses the definition of exacerbation might differ based on the severity (stage) of COPD you have. Getting into pulmonary rehab would be your best line of defense as well as staying away from sick people and crowded places (concerts, airports etc.). Best of luck to you!

[les4560 in reply to HikesWithDogs]

thank you so much!

[Abbo1621]

Hi i am level 3 but am lucky that both my wife and one of my daughter's are nurse's. The best advise i can give is healthy eating and exercise. I kayak and walk in the lakes with my family at every opertunity. Just protect yourself against the elements i personally use something a buff in cold weather to protect my lungs. Last piece off advice newly care professionals talk to them.

[les4560 in reply to Abbo1621]

thank you so much for the advice and in glad you are doing so well!