People suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) may not normally look to acupuncture to help ease their symptoms. But a study published this past June by
the Archives of Internal Medicine may cause COPD patients to think otherwise.
This study, conducted over the course of almost three years, divided patients into two groups: those who received actual acupuncture, and those who received placebo (fake) acupuncture. Both groups received their treatments once a week over the course of twelve weeks and in the same body locations.
After the twelve-week treatment sessions were complete, patients underwent a 6-minute walk test. They were then rated according to a modified 10-point Borg scale which measures breathlessness from 0 to 10 where 0 equals "breathing very well" and 10 equals "severely breathless."
Patients who had received real acupuncture scored markedly better on the Borg scale versus the placebo group. They also showed better exercise tolerance overall, showing that acupuncture can be a useful therapy for those suffering from COPD.
Those that are interested can
read the full study here.
If you or someone you know suffers from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), then read on.
The World Health Organization shows that death due to lung disease is currently the leading killer among people, topping cancer, heart disease, and even stroke (this is when all lung diseases such as COPD, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and lower respiratory infections are taken into account). And what's more, most people lack the understanding of how to manage lung disease.
A
study published in June showed patients with COPD who suffered fatigue were more than 10 times likely to be hospitalized than COPD patients who didn't report fatigue.
The study, completed in Australia, followed 100 consecutive COPD patients over the course of roughly two years. Those patients who reported fatigue showed a 10-fold increase in the risk of being hospitalized compared to patients who didn't report fatigue in the same time period.
Research has also indicated that patients who have COPD are unaware that moderate exercise, like swimming, can actually help improve symptoms such as breathlessness.
June 27th was
World Spirometry Day. A simple test such as a spirometry done at your physician's office is a great indicator of lung function and can help you better manage your own health. And yet most patients have never had a spirometry done. If you have COPD or even asthma, talk to your doctor about scheduling a spirometry. And also be sure to have a candid discussion about exercise and how it could help moderate your symptoms.