Pulmonary rehabilitation underused in COPD

Pulmonary rehabilitation underused in COPD
Respirology 2013; 18: 1089–1094

Data from an Australian hospital show that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients admitted for exacerbations are rarely referred for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), despite it being strongly recommended by national treatment guidelines.

“Rehabilitation in people with COPD has been shown to significantly reduce dyspnoea and fatigue, and improve exercise capacity, emotional function and people’s sense of control over their disease, and reduce health-care utilization,” comment authors Kylie Johnston (University of South Australia, Adelaide) and colleagues.

But they say that their findings support those of a handful of studies to date suggesting that PR is substantially underused.

via medwireNews – COPD – Pulmonary rehabilitation underused in COPD.

Hypothyroidism linked to COPD exacerbation risk

Research shows that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with hypothyroidism have an elevated exacerbation frequency but, despite this, experience similar quality of life to patients with normal thyroid function.

The research team, led by Sevinc Sarinc Ulasli (Afyon Kocatepe University, Turkey), studied a group of 44 COPD patients with hypothyroidism, 44 with COPD and normal thyroid function, and 40 healthy controls.

They found that patients with hypothyroidism had significantly more acute exacerbations over the course of a year compared with euthyroid patients, at a mean of 1.50 versus 0.86.

Free Full Text: Multidiscip Respir Med 2013; 8: 64

Via medwireNews

Hyperventilation Syndrome: Breathing Pattern Disorders and How to Overcome Them by Dinah Bradley

Hyperventilation or over breathing is frequently found in COPDers. If this happens to you Dinah Bradley’s book may be of help. Dinah Bradley is a New Zealand trained and qualified respiratory physiotherapist with over 30 years’ experience working in Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Here’s what the book is about:

“Are you suffering from unrelated symptoms, like nausea, breathlessness when resting, or lack of concentration? These are just some of the symptoms that could mean you have Hyperventilation Syndrome. HVS is a breathing disorder that involves rapid breathing from the chest, rather than the stomach. It is usually a side effect of prolonged stress and is often untreated. Dinah Bradley explains exactly what hyperventilation is and how to overcome it. There is also a plan and a workbook to help you manage your stress levels and other symptoms. This book will literally make you breathe more easily.”

Other Books By Dinah Bradley

A small amount from the sale of this book via the link above comes to us. We donate all income to NZ COPD charities.

Choose to be happy – Wayne Froggatt

Many people with COPD suffer from depression. This book may therefore be of interest.

“Do you want to choose how you feel? Wayne Froggatt has already taught hundreds of people in New Zealand to do just that. Choose to Be Happy is the result of his experience. In it he applies his methods to a comprehensive range of common human problems and areas of personal growth including:

  • worry
  • fear
  • anxiety
  • guilt
  • anger
  • depression
  • unassertiveness
  • perfectionism
  • decision making
  • disapproval and criticism
  • self-motivation.

Do you want to be your own therapist? You can learn to help yourself – with a proven method of psychotherapy that emphasises the use of your own reasoning powers to achieve personal control and growth. This book introduces the method step by step allowing you to understand and change the way you react to events in a rational and realistic manner. Choose of Be Happy offers more than inspiration and ‘positive thinking’. It holds out the prospect of permanent change.”

A small amount from the sale of this book via the link above comes to us. We donate all income to NZ COPD charities.