As if COPD weren’t difficult enough for your loved one to manage on a daily basis, it can become more advanced with little warning. Always be sure to talk to your loved one’s doctor to determine what you need to watch for in her specific situation to be certain that you don’t miss an important symptom.
She’s Losing Weight
Fighting COPD takes a lot of energy out of your loved one. This is why a great many people who have COPD find that they start to lose weight rapidly when their COPD worsens. If your loved one is losing weight, her doctor may recommend upping her caloric intake with nutrient-dense foods that can help her to build up her strength.
Her Muscles Aren’t as Strong as They Were
Your loved one might also find that her muscles are losing strength faster than they really should be. Part of that is related to the same reasons that she’s losing weight, but part of that is because your loved one may not feel healthy enough to continue to exercise. This can be a tremendous problem for your loved one because it can leave her at a greater risk of falling and becoming injured.
She’s Got Edema in Her Extremities
Edema, or swelling in the extremities, can be extremely dangerous for your loved one, especially if she has COPD. This can be an indication that your loved one’s circulatory system isn’t working properly. Because of COPD, your loved one’s heart and lungs are forced to work harder. If they’re not able to keep up, the result is fluid building up in the lower body.
Her Nails or Lips Have a Blue Tinge
Another warning sign that your loved one might display when her COPD worsens is that her lips or her fingernails might appear blue. This happens because your loved one isn’t getting enough oxygen into her blood, therefore there’s not enough working around through her body, either. The blue appearance is likely happening in conjunction with increased shortness of breath, which is cause for concern.
Having home care providers available when you can’t be there can help your loved one to conserve her energy.
If you or an aging family member are considering hiring home care in Brookhaven, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954 .
We provide quality non-medical services to our clients in their homes or in a facility if that’s where they live. Our staff is available for care plans for extensive care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or as little as 4 hours per visit. Reach out to us, and one of our outstanding administrative staff will meet with potential clients to assist them and their families in designing an effective, personal plan of care.