Coping with PF - excerpt from Dealing with Pulmonary Fibrosis by Virginia R Jansen Comfort measures to make breathing easier should be top priority. Pace activities to allow for alternating periods of rest. Patients need to be positioned to assist with easy lung expansion. Sitting in a recliner or at least a 45 degree angle is better sometimes sitting with the arms elevated on a table. Sitting backwards in a chair with the patient resting his arms on the back of the chair seems to relax the upper body muscles. The less tension of muscles makes it easier to breathe. The nutrition needs of the patient should include higher carbohydrates with emphasis on super food Super foods are things that provide the most nutrients in the smallest volume of food. Frequent small meals are better since a full stomach can put pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing more difficult. Dairy products should be evaluated according to the individuals tolerance. Anything that increases the mucous should be avoided. Hot liquids act as vascular and bronchial dilators which can make breathing easier and thinning secretions and easy the urge to cough. Cold liquids can sooth the throat but while they help thin the secretions they are not as effective as hot liquids. Hot coffee works really well to help loose mucous and allow the patient to bring it up. Chemically the caffeine is very similar to one of the common bronchial dilators give intravenously in emergency situations Several patients say ALTOIDS a stronger then normal mint seems to help them breath better. Perhaps its the peppermint or the simply having the mints in their mouth helps curb the urge to cough. Several medications can be give to relax the broncho-spasms that cause the severe coughing episodes. They are either given as a breathing treatment or as an inhaler. Pulmonary fibrosis patients need to have their inhalers with them. They should clearly understand the instructions and not over use them.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 02:53:15 +0000
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