Every part in the body has an import role. The lungs are one of the most noticed organs. When the lungs are suffering from some sort of illness or disease, a person’s breaths can change drastically. Elmhurst Extended Care Center talks about what COPD is and how you can avoid it. 

COPD is a common disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease targets the lungs and makes it harder for people to breath. COPD can be divided into two categories. The first category is chronic bronchitis COPD; it is the result of a patient’s bronchial tubes becoming inflamed. When the bronchial tubes are inflamed, it leads to more mucus being produced. Then, because of the mucus, patients end up coughing a lot and mucus is mixed in with those coughs. The second category is referred to as emphysema. Emphysema is diagnosed when lungs have sustained damage over a long period of time. People who suffer with emphysema have trouble breathing and wheeze a lot.  

To prevent COPD, EECC has 3 recommendations. One of the most important things to watch out for is sicknesses like the flu and cold. Make sure that you are taking care of your body, especially when you are recovering from an illness.  

To read the other 2 recommendations, visit How to Avoid COPD. 

Pulmonary and respiratory diseases still impact children, adults, and the elderly on a daily basis. Elmhurst Extended Care Center decided to interview their in-house respiratory therapist, Tim Olsen, to find out more about pulmonary problems within the elderly. 

Olsen was asked many questions about respiratory problems. For example, EECC asked for the most common problems seen in older adults who suffer with some sort of respiratory issue. Olsen responded by saying that breathing was the most common problem he has come across. Those with lung problems have trouble catching their breath when moving too much or when exercising. To combat the breathing issues, Olsen often recommends breathing exercises for his patients. The exercises are meant to help normalize breathing when people notice they have a difficult time catching their breath.  

Another question that Olsen answered had to do with preventing pulmonary diseases. The list begins and ends by pointing out that smoking is horrible for anyone’s lungs. It is better to avoid smoking altogether because the addictive properties in tabaco make it more difficult to quit once you start. Yet, there are more tips that Olsen also brings up. 

For the full interview, visit Our Pulmonary Center of Excellence Has Launched! Interview with Respiratory Therapist at EECC, Tim Olsen.