Non-pharmacological management of COPD - Fiona Horwood

Dr Fiona Horwood talks about non-pharmacological management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Fiona is Clinical Head for General Medicine and a Respiratory Physician at Counties Manukau DHB.

Topics

What does the term COPD actually cover?
What physical and psychosocial impact does the condition have on people
Key questions to investigating social impact
Helpful tool to assess impact. CAT COPD Assessment Tool
Managing COPD
Breathing techniques
Chest physiotherapy
Is there any evidence for alternative therapies?
Oxygen therapy?
Surgical intervention
Day to day practicalities / advanced life planning

Take home messages

Non-pharmacological management is as important, if not more than the use of inhalers, particularly early on in the disease.
The key lifestyle changes that will greatly improve management are: smoking cessation, exercise, vaccination, good diet.

Resources

Patient Resources

Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
COPD Health Navigator
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Health Navigator
COPD exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation Health Navigator

Presenter

Dr Fiona Horwood

Respiratory Physician

To contact Fiona Click here.

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The Goodfellow Unit podcast is funded in part by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.