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Haircut shears
Do it yourself haircut is easy. Save money
Avoid driving to barber shop
Avoid exposure to other people, especially during cold front.
Wait for good day outside. Sit in the sun and get hair cut. Don't
breathe hair. Cover face with mask while hair is being cut.
Do not use powder or lotions with fragrance.
IT CAN BE UNSAFE TO USE ELECTRIC SHEARS AROUND OXYGEN. Use scissors
instead of shears if oxygen is being used.
Buy
Hair cutting kit/ $18
Features/
resources:
6'10" long cord with polarized plug, beveled ear cutting attachments,
choose any length of hair from 1/8" buzz to 1" long
Choose
length, snap color-coded length attachment to cutter, plug it in, start
cutting, neck trim attachment, comb and small pair scissors included.
Don't worry, it will grow back.
Here is Photo of kit at my house |
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Use artificial flowers (or no flower) instead of real
flowers
Avoid fragrances such as flowers, potpourri and perfumes
Change flower arrangements frequently if possible to avoid build-up of
dust
Having a nice environment that's clean and uncluttered can be easier
for COPD patients
Have a cleaning service if possible
Have friends or family de-clutter the environment
Do not remain in the same room where cleaning is taking place you do
not want to see breathe the dust or cleaning chemicals
Pleasant surroundings can be a calming effect which can help improve
oxygen
Stress will often decrease oxygen
Buy
Flower
arrangements |
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Allergen air filters
"Pollution
can cause heart attack Intermountain Medical Center's Heart Institute
found that risk of most serious kind of heart attack rises after the
level of PM2.5 (fine particulate) pollution reaches 25 micrograms per
cubic meter of air. That's the yellow, or "moderate," range of air
pollution.
Such pollution is comprised of fine particles of metals,
allergens, organic chemicals, soot and dirt, each measuring about
1/20th the width of a human hair. For every 10 micrograms above 25 the
PM2.5 rate reaches, the risk of a serious heart attack rises by 15
percent.
People with heart disease are vulnerable because plaque in
artery walls becomes inflamed when breathing polluted air. The plaque
becomes unstable, swells and splits, blocking the artery." end of quote
The same particles and pollutants can cause inflamed airwaves in people
with COPD.
COPD patients are at double risk from air pollution because both heart
and lungs are affected.
Buy
3M
Filtrete air filters
Allergen
air filters
Features/
resources:
Allergen
air filters simply filter the air and have no byproduct. Air filters
that draw air through fabric filters, and HEPA filters do the best job
of removing contaminants from the air. However, electrostatic filters
produce ozone as a byproduct. Ozone is an irritant that can inflame
airwaves. Any product that produces ozone is bad for airwaves and COPD.
Best actions: ban smoking and perfumes. Remove carpet. Maintain HVAC
equipment. Change air filters regularly.
We use the 600 filtrete dust and pollen filter changed each 2 months.
And have IQ air machine for bedroom. |
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Breath builder
Spirometry is 'measuring breath. It is used for pulmonary function
test.'
The
breath builder is one aspect of spirometry. It measures amount of
inhaled air volume. It is also used to help maintain lung health.
Ideal methid: breathe in slow and deep. Slow inhale uses diaphragm
muscle, while quick inhale uses chest muscles.
Use
breath builder 2-3 times per day, in addition to prescribed inhalers
(if applicable to diagnosis), can help keep airwaves open.
Using the breath builder first thing in morning can help raise oxygen
level in bloodstream in some patients.
It is also used to help strengthen and expand lung capacity for horn
players and musicians.
Doing
arm exercises and leg exercises from a sitting position, after using
breath builder, is sometimes prescribed for clearing airwaves and
maintaining good circulation and strength.
Buy
Breath builder
Spirometers
at Amazon
Resources/
research:
Spriometry and COPD/ pdf
Spirometry science and explanation/ pdf |
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Peak flow meter
Peak flow meter measures level of obstruction in airwaves.
It is not an exercise that is done daily, although it can be used this
way.
It can be used before and after using broncodialiators to estimate
effectiveness of treatment.
The measurements are approximate, and they vary throughout the day
depending on general healh, condition and fatique.
Other factors that affect the result are age and height. The peak flow
of a person declines with age.
How
to use: Insert end in mouth and form firm seal with lips. Relax mouth
and neck. Sit up straight. Take deep breath through nose.
Exhale as quickly as possible in one push using diaphram and chest
muscles.
Peak
flow meter charts are available online. For example my age and height
shows average number. And my results are normally lower, but
occasionally higher. My reults are much lower immediately after walking
because of condition and fatique.
Doctor
says not to worry too much about results since the charts are not
correct for all people. The main thing it to keep a good outlook and
stay healthy. He says if you look at peak flow results, then it will
cause concern and stress.... and that will lower the results.
Buy
Asthma
meter |
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Inhaler mask
Inhalers are sometimes prescribed by doctor
Masks are not covered by Medicare
Order mask locally or online
Masks are disposable. Must be disposed after a month or so. Get
recommendation from doctor or nurse.
Many inhalers carry warning against getting mist into eyes
Use long tube type instead of mask if the inhaler can get into eyes
Buy
Updraft nebulizer Hudson updraft nebulizer
at emergency medical products
Order adult mask
Updraft
nebulizer II at emergency medical products |
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Wear respirator mask when going outside
I am wearing 'half mask' with organic vapor cartridge. This has
protected me from breathing vapors, dusts etc.
I wear the mask when going outside or moving around boxes or anything
that will stir up dust, dirt and mold.
The filter cartridges are replaceable.
It is more difficult to breath through the mask... but it is safer for
people with lung problems who can breath hard enough
Smoke, pollutants, dust, forest fires, etc can affect lungs and airways
When
rainfall ends and then sunshine following, this condition will cause
explosion of mold spores... avoid going outside on those days.
Avoid large crowds.
Buy
Respirator
masks
Resources/
research:
Picture of types of half masks
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Starter kit has 5 packets of saline mix
Or buy the full kit with 50 packets |
Neli-med nasal rinse
Folks using some drugs and inhalers frequently have dry nasal passages.
For example inhalers and sleep and anxiety meds etc.
To keep nose open, I use the Nelipot and saline mix.
Be careful when using before laying down. Draining sinuses can cause
respiratory difficulty.
Always use distilled water.
You can clean the Nelipot by filling with distilled water and adding 1
drop of bleach. Let sit overnight.
When
I feel a cold coming on, I add a couple drop of white vinegar when
mixing new solution. Adding a tiny bit of vinegar... the mixture is
harsh, and I certainly have no idea if this is recommended by medical
profession, but it has prevented me from getting cold so far.... and
the nasal cold was always a precursor to the cold dropping into my
lungs, requiring antibiotic. Be cautious if you try this.
The manufacturer recommends use new nedipot each 6 months. I change
mine every other month.
My doctor says, the solution is just saltwater, and that saltwater does
not prevent mold. You must not keep using same nelipot.
Buy
Nelimed
at Amazon
Walgreens also carries the neli med product |
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Large soap dispenser
Washing hands is important to avoid bronchial problems
Bar of soap is easy
Soap dispenser can be used with 1 hand for dispensing
Large bottle is convenient
Mix dish soap with water ... although dish soap can dry out hands
Buy:
Larger soap dispenser bottle |
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Low salt diet
Low salt diet is usually recommended by doctors for patients with COPD
and heart problems
Salt can cause water retention in the body including the lungs
To prevent build up of water and fluid in the lungs and low-salt diet
is essential
Read food labels and plan ahead
Low water intake can also help heart and kidney function in people with
enlarged heart of with other heart ailments.
People with COPD frequently develop enlarged heart.
Too
much water consumed at one time, or consumed over a period of time, can
cause decreased salt content in the blood which can cause bowel
problems in addition to serious risk of seizure and death. Too little
water can also cause health problems.
Buy
Low
salt diet books at Amazon |
Larger image |
Replace bathroom towel bars with support bar
Make bathroom safer
Attach to structure (2x4) using handrail bracket.
Simple sanded 2x2 with stain for color is all that's needed
I used a treated 2x2 left over from construction years
The support bar is extended into the bathtub for safer entry and exit
from tub
Resource:
How to attach handrail to pocket door |
Larger image |
Add safety grab bars to bathtub.
Caution... the soap dish will not hold your weight.
Use stainless bolts and screws. Avoid using the pot steel bolts and
screws they send with product.
Buy real stainless screws and toggles at local store.
Be
careful when buying stainless. Often the package says stainless, but
it's just pot metal from china covered with stainless coating.
Go to real hardware store. Look in the pull-out boxes.
You
can feel the weight of a stainless screw or bolt... it's much heavier
and more reliable than the pot steel that comes with bar.
Attach
the lowest bar to 2x4 inside wall... best if both ends are attached to
2x4, but at least 1 end must be attached to structure using stainless
screw.
Other end can be attached using stainless toggle bolts. Do
NOT use the plastic anchors. Use real metal toggle that opens behind
the wall.
Buy:
Safety grab bar at Amazon
Bathtub
safety grab bars
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Larger image |
Support bar on door frame
Use lag screws to attach to 2x4 frame
Add to any door frame
Buy:
Good
grip safety grab bar/ installs with lag screws
Safety grab bar at Amazon
Bathtub
safety grab bars |
