Fall
2016
COPD
Using Oxygen at Home
Health and wellness or prevention information
Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts & Golden Raisins
Ingredients
Directions
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1 tablespoon pine nuts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 10-ounce bag fresh spinach,
(see Ingredient Note), tough
stems removed
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon shaved
Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or
Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add raisins, pine nuts and garlic; cook,
stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add spinach and cook, stirring, until just
wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from
heat; stir in vinegar and salt. Serve immediately, sprinkled with Parmesan and pepper.
HW-P-NEWSLETTER-0816
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 2 servings
Ingredient Note: The sturdier texture
of mature spinach stands up better to
sautéing than baby spinach and it’s a
more economical choice. We prefer
to serve baby spinach raw.
Per serving: 158 calories; 9g fat (2g saturated fat, 5g monounsaturated fat); 2mg cholesterol;
16g carbohydrates; 6g protein; 4g fiber; 310mg sodium; 804mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus:
Vitamin A (170% daily value), Folate (42% daily value), Vitamin C (40% daily value), Magnesium
(29% daily value), Potassium (23% daily value), Calcium & Iron (20% daily value).
Carbohydrate Servings: 1. Exchanges: 1½ vegetable, ½ fruit, 2 fat.
Source: Recipe by EatingWell.com. © Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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If your doctor has told you that you
need oxygen therapy, you may wonder what to expect. Here are some
common types and how to use them
safely at home.
» Compressed oxygen is a gas that
comes in a large or small tank. Large
tanks are heavy but give you a long
supply of oxygen. Small tanks are portable but need to be refilled mo e often.
» Liquid oxygen is also available in tanks.
These tanks weigh less and hold more
oxygen, so they may be a good choice
if you’re active.
» An oxygen concentrator takes in regular air and makes oxygen that’s about
95% pure. This machine doesn’t have
to be refilled like a tan , so it may cost
less over time. It runs on an electrically
charged battery, so you’ll need a backup tank of oxygen in case your power
goes out.
Know how to manage your tanks.
» Keep your tanks upright. Don’t let
them fall over.
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» Don’t change the fl w-rate settings until you talk to your doctor.
Turning them up or down could
endanger your health.
» Keep track of how much oxygen
you have in your tank. Order more
before you need it.
Help oxygen do its work. Don’t
drink alcohol or take medicines that
make you sleepy unless your doctor
says it’s okay. They can cause you to
breathe too slowly.
Avoid starting a fire. Oxygen is a
fi e hazard and makes a flame bu n
hotter and faster. Keep a fi e extinguisher at home. Also:
» Never smoke or let anyone else
smoke while you are using oxygen.
» Don’t use flammable p oducts,
such as aerosol sprays or cleaning
fluid , while using oxygen.
» Keep your oxygen far away from
barbecue grills, candles, fi eplaces,
gas stoves, and space heaters.
How Does
Oxygen Help?
When you have COPD, your
lungs don’t send enough
oxygen into your blood. So
your chest feels tight, and
you’re very short of breath.
Your doctor may prescribe
oxygen therapy if you have
severe COPD and very low
oxygen levels. With it, you
may notice that you have
less shortness of breath and
more energy. Getting oxygen at home can help you
live longer.
If your COPD is not severe,
oxygen therapy will probably
not help you. In this case,
your doctor may prescribe
medicine and a program
that includes exercise, breath
training, and healthy eating.
7/27/16 4:06 PM
these, you lie in different positions to
help mucus move to the top of your
lungs, where it is easier to cough up.
» L ie on your back with 2 or 3 pillows
under your hips. Use a small pillow
for your head if you need it to feel
comfortable. Keep your arms at your
sides and push out your belly as you
breathe in. Pull in your belly as you
breathe out. This is called belly
breathing. Breathe in this position
for 5 minutes.
» T urn onto your belly, keeping the
pillows under your hips. Raise your
arms over your head and breathe in
and out, using belly breathing.
Breathe in this position for 5
minutes.
» L ie on your side with the pillows
» S it on the edge of a chair with both
under your hip so that your chest is
feet on the floo . Lean forward a
lower than your hips. Put your arms
little and relax.
where you are comfortable, use belly
»B
reathe in through your nose slowly
breathing, and switch sides after 5 or
and fold your arms over your belly.
10 minutes.
»A
s you breathe out, lean even farther Tap it out. Another way to clear your
forward and push your arms against lungs is called chest percussion.
your belly. Cough 2 or 3 times.
»Y
ou can do this during postural
»B
reathe in slowly and gently through
drainage, by yourself, or by having
your nose, and repeat the coughing
someone do it for you.
if you need to.
»C
up your hand, and lightly tap your
Use gravity to get it out. To do that,
chest and back. This helps shake
use postural drainage methods. For
mucus loose so you can cough it up.
Clear Your Lungs to
Make Breathing Easier
Too much mucus in your lungs
from COPD may make it hard to
breathe. It can also cause a rattle
sound when you breathe or make
your voice sound deeper, raspy,
or hoarse. Here are three ways to
cough that clear the mucus and
make breathing easier. You can try
all three because each works in a
different way.
Press it out. Practice controlled
coughing after you use your
inhaler or other medicine.
Everyday Protection from
Lung Infections
Lung infections and pneumonia can be caused by bacteria or a virus.
Mucus in your lungs creates a place for these germs to grow. That’s why
people who have COPD are more likely to get a lung infection. And lung
infections are more dangerous when you have COPD.
Here are several steps you can take to prevent lung infections:
» If you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit. Smoking increases your
chance of getting a lung infection. Quitting will help slow down the
damage to your lungs.
»A
void secondhand smoke. Smoke makes it hard for your lungs to fig t
infections.
»D
o breathing exercises. These can make breathing easier and help keep
your lungs healthy. You can learn to control your breathing by practicing
breathing techniques, like pursed-lip breathing, every day.
»C
lear your lungs: When you have COPD, your lungs may produce more
mucus, and it may be harder to clear them. See exercises on how to clear
your lungs on page 2.
» E ach year, get the fl vaccine. Ask your doctor if you need a
pneumococcal vaccine shot.
Taking care of yourself every day can also help protect your lungs.
»W
ash your hands often, especially if you’re around people with colds
or the fl .
» E at regular, well-balanced meals. Eating right keeps your energy levels
up and helps your body fig t infection.
»B
alance rest with activity. Keeping your body active strengthens your
immune system. Getting enough rest and sleep allows your body to
recharge.
Vaccine Reminder
We all try to make as many
healthy choices as we can. And
one very important choice you
can make for yourself is to get
the seasonal fl vaccine and
make sure you’re up-to-date with
your pneumococcal vaccine.
The fl vaccine is recommended
for people age 6 months and older.
The vaccine is especially important
for people with long-term (chronic)
health problems, like diabetes,
or with heart or lung problems.
Flu vaccine: Since fl viruses are
always changing, new vaccines are
made each year. That’s why getting
a fl vaccine each year is your best
chance for protection.
vaccine can help prevent serious
problems caused by bacteria
that cause pneumonia and other
infections. Two different types
of pneumococcal shots are
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Pneumococcal vaccine: This
Good Health
Care Starts
With You
Taking an active role in your care
and partnering with your doctor
can help you stay healthy.
Here are some things you can do
to manage your COPD:
• Follow your written COPD
action plan from your doctor.
The plan tells you what COPD
medicine to take each day and
how to treat a COPD fla e-up.
• Take your COPD medicines
exactly as prescribed. And
be sure you’re using your
inhaler medicines correctly.
•A
sk your doctor if you need
to have spirometry or other
tests to see how well your
lungs are working.
• Work with a dietitian to be sure
you’re getting the nutrients and
calories you need.
•B
e active. Ask your doctor to
help you choose activities
that are safe for you.
recommended for people age
65 and older.
• Think about joining a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
A pneumococcal vaccine is also
recommended for people who
smoke and for anyone age 2 years
or older with long-term health
problems, like diabetes, or with
heart or lung problems.
Check with your doctor to see if
you need a pneumococcal vaccine.
7/27/16 4:06 PM
• I f you smoke, quitting is one
of the best things you can do
for your health.
©2016 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks
of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or
liability for your use of this information. Any references to commonly used brand-name medications or products are for
example only and are not endorsements.
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