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About COPD
Should I See A Dr? (A Checklist)
COPD - Latest Web Info & Research (links)
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NEWPulmonary Function 101 (Understanding How Your Lungs Work) |
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Talking To Your Dr
What is a COPD Action Plan? NEW
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Ask the RRT
Ask The Respiratory Therapist YOUR Question
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Medicines
Know Your Meds - A Reference Guide for Canadians
Drug Names/Equivalents in Different Countries
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Are You Newly Diagnosed?
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Breathing
Anxiety & Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) (Part 1)
NEWPursed Lip Breathing (Part 2)
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Breathing Tests (Understanding Them)
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Finger Pulse Oximeters
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Exercise
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Nutrition
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For COPD Caregivers & Support People
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Lung Transplant
Lung Transplant Ctrs in Canada
Meet Melody (pre transplant ) The Waiting
Post Transplant Q's &A's of Melody
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A COPD Checklist
I Think I Might Have COPD....
How Do I Decide If I Need to See A Dr.
Let's be honest shall we? Coughing is NOT normal unless you're ill.
Quite often we "know" or "suspect" something is wrong with the old lungs but frequently we "wait". Guilt, fear, we're still smoking; there's lots of reasons. But; the quicker you get tested (spirometry test) the better. Early detection is the key. Below is a short list of a few things that may suggest to you, or someone you care about, to see a Dr.
One final point.....some people with COPD DO NOT COUGH.
If you answer yes to any one question along with the smoking question, you may have developed COPD. Even if you have had NO symptoms but you're over 40 with a history of smoking, you should still request a spirometry (or Pulmonary Function Test; (PFT)
(Remember, most Dr's have access to this painless, non-invasive, simple test but nationally only 35% of our country's physicians use it. You are going to have to ask for it ESPECIALLY if he wants to give you Ventolin (Blue Inhaler) but said nothing to you about your getting a breathing test.
Are
you, or were you, a smoker?
Do you
have a chronic cough? (Note: Some people with COPD rarely cough)
Do you
have sputum production when you cough and the cough doesn't go away? (Note: Some
people with COPD do not produce mucus)
Do you
wheeze?
Do you
get short of breath easily?
Do you
get a lot of chest colds?
If
you've not gained weight.....Ladies; does your bra feel too tight? Gents;
is your shirt tighter?
Compared to
others of your age and sex, do you get "winded" or short of breather quicker
when walking or exercising?
Remember; if you answered yes to any one question, along with smoking, you should see your Dr.
IS THIS YOU? "I'll get tested as soon as I quit smoking." DON'T be one of them. That would be the equivalent of a person suffering chest pains on and off to say..."I'll get my heart checked as soon as I lose some weight or a person with all the symptoms of diabetes to say...."soon as I lose my weight."
Preparing for the Initial Visit with Your Dr.
This page was last updated August 7th, 2011
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COPD in Canada Message Board/Forum open to the public-for patients - exchange info with your peers |
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