How Can You Tell That Your Loved One Is Experiencing an Exacerbation of Her Copd?

Elder Care in Gramercy NY: How Can You Tell that Your Loved One Is Experiencing an Exacerbation of Her COPD?

COPD exacerbations can be a small hiccup in your loved one’s quest for wellness or they can be something that knocks her out for a few days at a time. Regardless, exacerbations are not something to ignore.

She’s Developed a Fever

A fever is your loved one’s body’s method of getting rid of an infection. When that fever is low grade and just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere that can be an indication that something bigger is going on. In a loved one with COPD, that usually means that her lungs are fighting something off.

She’s Reaching for Her Rescue Medications More Frequently

Some loved one with COPD have the medication that they take every day and then a second grouping of medications that are called rescue medication. These are typically inhaled medications that can help your loved one to breathe when she feels that her lungs aren’t able to get enough oxygen. If your loved one is reaching for these rescue medications more frequently, that’s an issue.

She’s More Tired than Usual

Just breathing takes a lot out of a loved one who has COPD, but the earliest stages of an exacerbation can wear your loved one out even more. This can mean more frequent naps for your loved one or sleeping later in the morning. Your loved one might find that getting to sleep is difficult, which can also contribute to a later wake-up time.

She’s Got Some Edema in Her Legs

Swelling in your loved one’s legs, called edema, is an indication that some parts of your loved one’s internal system aren’t working properly. If your loved one has other health problems that can also contribute to edema, you may want to rule out issues with those conditions, as well.

Her Mucus Looks Different

Coughing up a bit of mucus is very common with COPD, but when that mucus changes, becoming thicker or changing color, that means that there are changes elsewhere in her lungs, too. Even small changes to your loved one’s mucus can be a cause for concern.

Bringing in referred caregivers can help you and your loved one get up to speed on what to watch for even sooner. If you can keep a log of how your loved one is feeling, you can start to track her symptoms as well