Support Needed For People With Breathing Problems. Emotional Burden Of Chronic Bronchitis And Emphysema May Make Some Patients Reluctant To Seek Treat
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Disease Illness.
Support Needed for People with Breathing Problems: The Emotional Toll of COPD
Summary
For millions of Americans living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), even simple activities like climbing a few stairs can leave them breathless. This struggle is part of their daily lives. A new program is aiming to address the challenges these individuals face.
Article
Consider how you'd feel if climbing just a few steps left you gasping for air, forcing you to stop and catch your breath. This is the daily reality for millions of Americans with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), where the simple act of breathing becomes a persistent battle.
COPD, encompassing chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by declining lung function. Often caused by cigarette smoking, it stands as the second-leading cause of disability and the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S., following heart disease. Alongside its physical symptoms, COPD brings with it a range of emotional challenges?"frustration, anxiety, and depression. A national survey by Efforts (Emphysema Foundation For Our Right to Survive)?"a nonprofit organization supporting COPD patients?"reveals that these emotions can significantly impact how patients manage their condition.
Jacquie Bossert, a 72-year-old COPD patient from San Diego, shares her experience: "I’d wake up in the middle of the night, scared and anxious because I couldn’t breathe. Initially, I felt like I’d have to give up everything important to me. But with the right resources, I’ve learned to manage my disease and feel empowered to enjoy my life again."
According to a survey of 649 COPD patients supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer Inc., patients frequently experience feelings of discomfort, fatigue, and frustration. More than half reported enduring intense emotions such as feeling burdened, overwhelmed, depressed, isolated, defeated, embarrassed, or ashamed. Nearly all think about their condition daily, fear exacerbations, and worry about the stigma of causing their illness through smoking.
Those experiencing severe emotional distress are more likely to be concerned about their condition worsening, feel there's nothing they can do, and hesitate to seek treatment. This group also tends to focus on immediate symptom relief using short-term "rescue" medications daily.
Dr. Dennis E. Doherty, Professor of Medicine and head of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional dimensions of COPD: "Many patients feel fear and hopelessness, often developing an emotional attachment to rescue medications. While maintenance therapies offer more effective long-term management, patients are often confused about treatment roles. Physicians must recognize these emotional aspects and educate patients on the benefits of maintenance therapy to ensure they receive appropriate care."
Addressing survey insights and the need for enhanced education, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer Inc., alongside the COPD Foundation, NLHEP (National Lung Health Education Program), and Efforts, have launched "The Breathing Room," a nationwide education program. This initiative aims to empower patients and the public with resources like interactive disease animations, information from medical experts, and lifestyle management tools, helping individuals manage COPD more effectively.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Support Needed For People With Breathing Problems. Emotional Burden Of Chronic Bronchitis And Emphysema May Make Some Patients Reluctant To Seek Treat.
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