Sometimes, being diagnosed after struggling with debilitating symptoms can be a relief. Now, the condition has a name, and there’s a plan to treat it! This is certainly true with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If your senior loved one has been struggling through symptoms such as chronic coughing, wheezing, and fatigue, receiving a diagnosis of COPD could be the first step needed to improve her quality of life.

Here’s what you can expect from the doctor in determining if COPD is the culprit:

Assessment of the senior’s health and environment, to include smoking, exposure to pollutants, symptoms, and family health history
Testing such as spirometry (breathing into a machine to check lung functioning), x-rays and blood work
Creation of a treatment plan

COPD symptoms can vary from person to person, and as a result, treatment plans can differ as well. Here are some of … Read More »