COPD

Patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are in the high-risk group as specified by the Government. If you suffer from severe symptoms please practice shielding.

More information on shielding can be found at www.gov.uk.

During the Coronavirus outbreak you can do a lot to help manage your condition yourself. Keeping active and doing exercise can make a big difference, many people find this helps them more than inhaled drugs.

• Keeping active – Find ideas for keeping active with your lung condition.
• Breathing exercises – There are techniques and positions that can help you cope when you get out of breath and feel more in control of your breathing.
• Eating well and maintaining a healthy weight – It’s important to eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight it will be harder for you to breathe and move around. If you’re losing too much weight because eating makes you feel breathless, or you find it difficult to shop and prepare meals, try to eat little and often.
• Take care of your emotional wellbeing.

Emotional Wellbeing

Although support groups in Gloucestershire have been suspended there are still things you can do to look after your mental health.

• Practice self-care – follow basic self-care, so healthy eating, sleep, lots of hydration, and try to keep to a routine
• Exercise if you can – Try giving the recommended exercises a go, getting moving is easier said than done when you feel low or anxious, but it can significantly boost your mood.
• Set up buddy groups – Set up a “buddy group” with family or friends and regularly check in with people, either online or by phone. That way, you can offer support to anyone struggling or reach out to others if you need to.
• Distract yourself – Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help offload any worries and fears you may have. It’s also important to try to keep busy, whether that means going for a daily walk or learning a new skill. There are still plenty of activities you can engage with at home, including crafts, painting, reading, cooking and baking.
• Be kind to yourself – If you don’t feel up to doing anything, though, that’s fine too. It’s important to be kind to yourself and recognise when you need a break.

Asthma

Patients suffering from severe asthma are in the high-risk group as specified by the government. If you suffer from severe symptoms please practice shielding and visit www.asthma.org.uk.

For advice on managing your asthma visit Asthma UK’s website.