What Pro2 is Up2

Staying healthy is more important now than ever before for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory illnesses. We all have heard we should wash our hands often, care for our teeth and gums, and avoid germs and germ-filled areas.

But there are more ways to stay healthy you may not have considered. Try these tips to improve your health this winter:

- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and juice. Consult with your physician to determine your optimum intake. Drinking before your evening meal should minimize interruptions during the night.
- Add humidity to the air with a humidifying device. Be sure to keep it clean and germ-free. Clean regularly to ensure optimum performance.
- Cold air hurts. When outside, breathe through your nose (this will help add humidity to the air). Wrap a scarf around your face before you go outside. Also, when you first step outside, stop and take a few short breaths before proceeding. This will help your body become adjusted and may save you from a coughing spell.
- Avoid colds and people with them as their germs are airborne. If they must be near you, ask them to wear a surgical face mask. Avoid using their plate or utensils.
- Keep your nose clean. Blow your nose as often as is necessary using fresh, disposable tissues so you may rid of them after.
- Stay active. Exercise is important year-round. If the weather is too poor to exercise outside, try walking around the house and climbing stairs. Consider investing in a piece of home exercise equipment to keep your regimen going during the winter months. [Be sure to consult with your physician prior to starting any new exercise program.]
- Avoid dust. If you have central heating, replace your air filters before turning your system on for the season. Dust frequently with a dusting agent that traps the dust on the cloth. Wash or dry-clean drapes and curtains. Vacuum or dust behind radiators and be sure to change your vacuum cleaner bags and filters regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight. During winter months, aim to stay at or a little below your ideal weight. Eating and digesting food can be exhausting, so consider eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones.
- Consider a flu shot in the fall, before flu season begins. Ask your physician about getting the flu vaccine. Be sure to rest in the days leading up to obtaining the vaccine.
- Avoid smokers. Smoke from someone else's cigarette can be as irritating and harmful to you as if you were smoking. Ask your friends not to smoke, or to smoke away from out (outside or in another room).

Source: Autumn and Winter Advice for Respiratory Patients. COPD Support. Retrieved February 15, 2013 from http://www.copdsupport.ie/copd-support-group/autumn-and-winter-advice.

Cats are one of Americans' favorite pets! They are well-suited for apartment dwellers or those with limited access to the outdoors. Cats don’t necessarily have to go outside to use the bathroom either; most indoor cats use a litter box.

It can be easy to identify the ammonia smell from cat urine- even when you've been careful to keep the litter box clean. While the amount of ammonia in an average litter box poses no health hazard, allowing litter boxes to go uncleaned may threaten cat owners' well being. The elderly, children, and people with a compromised respiratory system due to diseases such as COPD or asthma are especially susceptible.

When urine accumulates in the litter box (or anywhere in the house), ammonia fumes will build up. Ammonia is a toxic gas and inhalation of its fumes can lead to a number of respiratory issues. The fumes irritate the lining of the respiratory system which can lead to coughing, increased sputum, and difficulty breathing. People who are exposed for short periods usually experience minor symptoms such as mild headaches, lightheadedness, and nausea. Exposure for longer periods can cause more severe symptoms such as respiratory distress, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Over an extended period of time, individuals may experience an increase in respiratory infections and even damage their lung tissue.

So remember- always keep your cat’s litter box clean! For extra protection you may want to use gloves to protect your skin, goggles to protect your eyes, and a mask to avoid inhalation when cleaning the litter box.


Source: Make Sure Your Furry Friends Don't Make You Sick! January 2013. The Pulmonary Press.