Improving Your Quality of Life

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Improving Your Quality of Life

• Presented by Carol Bair, RCP

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Ive been diagnosed with IPF.now what happens?

• You may not be able to control your lung disease,
  but you can choose to make positive decisions.
• Although there are CURRENTLY no proven treatments
  for IPF there are lifestyle changes than you can
  make.

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• If you havent already
• STOP SMOKINGbecause nicotine is addictive, this
  can be very difficult to doif you need
  assistance with this please ask your physician
  about Smoking Cessation Programs.

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• Stay in Shape
• Often times people limit their activities due to
  their shortness of breath or breathlessness. We
  will discuss the Vicious Circle of Dyspnea.

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• THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF DYSPNEA

ACTIVITY
DYSPNEA
INACTIVITY
ANXIETY
FEAR
DEPRESSION
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• Due to the increased shortness of breath you will
  become inactivethis will actually work against
  you.
• Deconditioning of your muscles will make your
  daily activities harder to performExercising
  regularly increases your muscle strength and
  endurance.

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• Fear is a common emotion you or your partner may
  have. Share your ideas, fears, and joys. You are
  a part of your healthcare team. Be a participant!

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Maintain Healthy Eating

• Maintaining a healthy weight is vital to keep
  your muscles strong and increases your ability to
  fight any infections.

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• Eat smaller more frequent meals since it is
  harder to breath when your stomach if full.

You may need to eat fewer of the foods that cause
discomfort or gas (ie. Beans, spicy foods,
onions, fatty foods, fried foods, carbonated
drinks).
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• Try to breathe evenly when eating. You should
  stop eating if you need to catch your breath.

Relax at mealtime.
Plan to eat before you are hungry or too tired.
Refuel before you are on EMPTY.
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Use of Supplemental Oxygen

• Your body requires a certain level of oxygen.
  Your oxygen level is measured by either using a
  pulse oximeter or obtaining a blood sample from
  your artery. If it is determined that your oxygen
  level is low, supplemental oxygen will be ordered
  by your physician.

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If your physician orders oxygen for you USE IT!

• This will decrease the extra work on your heart,
  kidneys and blood vessels. Maintaining the
  adequate levels of oxygen in your blood will help
  improve your sleep,

reduce fatigue, increase your ability to do more
and go farther.
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Use Support System

• Depression, sadness, anger and grief are normal
  responses to losses that often accompany
  illnesses.

First of allSTART TALKING. Once you begin
talking you will find it easier to talk each time.
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• Join a Support Group
• Knowing that there are others out there that
  share your ideas, joys and sorrows often times
  is comforting. Seek professional as needed.

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• Keep a positive attitude.