Guiding COPD Patients from Diagnosis to Treatment

by Melissa Rubio, PhD, APRN | Sep 24, 2019 | Blog, Health Literacy, Nursing Articles, Patient

Care | 0 Comments

Helping patients to navigate what comes after a difficult diagnosis is a necessary

part of our profession. In my many years working with patients facing progressive
diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), I have found that
they often have questions, namely:

What do I do now?

That’s where we, as nurses and other health care providers, can offer answers.
COPD is not currently curable; however, there is still hope for these patients.
Lifestyle changes and medical advancements make it possible for patients to
improve their ability to breathe and overall quality of life. The objective of
treatment is to slow the progression of the disease and assist with managing its
symptoms. As patients with COPD come to terms with their disease, here’s what I
would recommend to guide them through the next steps of their journey, from
diagnosis to treatment:

Work With Them to Create a Plan

After giving a diagnosis of COPD, educating patients on the disease and working
with them on a personalized plan to start addressing their symptoms is an
important first step. In fact, there are many lifestyle changes that patients can
make every day to not only accommodate their new medical needs but also to help
improve lung function. Committing to a diet of anti-inflammatory foods - like
fatty fish or dark leafy greens - participating in regular low-impact physical
activities and other techniques can help to reduce inflammation in the lungs that
can exacerbate symptoms.

Help Them Take the Steps to Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause significant damage in the lungs which only increases over
time. One of the best things that patients can do if they’ve been diagnosed with
chronic lung disease is to quit smoking if they currently smoke. It’s important to
arm them with information and tools they need to successfully do so - whether it’s
helping them to identify smoking triggers, create an exercise and diet regimen or
connect to support groups or other resources. For example, at Lung Health
Institute, we offer our patients access to programs like American Lung
Association’s Freedom From Smoking® Plus, a flexible online smoking cessation
program that can be completed in six weeks.

Have an Honest Conversation About What Treatment Is Right for Them

Every patient is different, and treatments will vary for each patient with COPD -
depending on the severity of the disease and other factors, including age, fitness
level or medical history. That’s why it’s critical to create an environment where
patients are comfortable being completely honest about how they’re feeling both
physically and mentally. That will ensure that we can provide them with the best
course of action when it comes to their treatment.