Your journey to better lung health

1. Your Journey to Better Lung Health Your Journey to Better Lung Health Living in Australia over the last few months has certainly not been easy on our lung health. Given the stress of the current health situation off the back of the bushfires, those of us living with COPD, asthma or any other respiratory condition are likely not to feel safe. Aside from maintaining good hygiene and being mindful of human-to-human contact, it is also good to know more about some of the daily living aids that can offer you assistance and peace of mind in your journey for better lung health. Lung Health in Australia Generally speaking, respiratory conditions are very common in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 5.8 million Australians are estimated to have at least “one long-term respiratory condition since 2001”, and whilst respiratory conditions are, “largely preventable and manageable,” the 4th leading cause of death is lower respiratory diseases where the 5th leading cause of death is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. There are also no cures to most of the chronic lung conditions. That being said, there are ways to help maintain the health of our lungs over a longer period of time. Whilst eating better and cardiovascular exercise are essential, there are also aids that you may not be aware of that can help maintain your respiratory health. Some of these products are beneficial for people living with particular conditions like COPD but others are also generally helpful for those who suffer from poor lung health due to asthma or similar issues. Useful tools for lung conditions There are a range of daily living aids that can help your respiratory health. We will share some of the details of the common and rarer devices below.

2. Nebuliser A nebuliser is an assistive breathing treatment device that is helpful for administrating medication straight to the patients’ lungs. Essentially, a nebuliser allows for liquid medication to be transformed into a fine mist that can be inhales. A nebuliser is regularly used to help those who need to manage the symptoms of their lung conditions like, cystic fibrosis or COPD. Generally speaking, most people living with asthma will use an inhaler rather than a nebuliser, except if their condition is very severe. Compared with inhalers or spacers, nebulisers require a source of power and need consistent maintenance to reduce the risk of getting an infection from the nebuliser. The asthma educator, pharmacist or nurse will be able to help to learn you to use the nebuliser. Spacer A spacer is similar to a nebuliser in that it is used to administer medication to patients with lung conditions. However, they are smaller and far easier to use. They are designed to improve the delivery of medication from an inhaler into your lungs without leaving any of the medication in your mouth or throat. The range of spacers is from disposable to reusable. Mucus Clearance Device A mucus clearance device is designed, as its name suggests, to assist in clearing your lungs from mucus. It is a small allows for people who have congested lungs, to breathe more easily without as much friction and frustration from bronchial mucus built up in the lungs. Typically, those who live with COPD require these drug-free respiratory devices to clear the mucus build-up in their lungs. The effective device uses a PEP therapy – or the power of air pressure – to create vibrations in the bronchial tubes and lungs to loosen the mucus from the airway wall. Progressively the mucus is moved up the airways and coughed out. Nasal Drops If you’re suffering from something like a cold, it can cause your airways to become clogged, particularly the nasal cavities in your nose. As such, having

3. nasal drops on hand is practical as they help reduce the build-up of crusting nasal tissue in the nose whilst also moisturising nasal dryness. Peak Flow Meter A peak flow meter is a very useful handheld device for those with asthma as it measures how well you are able to move air out of your lungs. Additionally, it can measure your asthma symptoms which is very useful in identifying and preventing potential asthma attacks. Keeping track of your peak expiratory flow (or PEF) will tell you when to take your quick acting asthma inhaler or medicine. You could avoid a severe asthma emergency. Inspiratory Exerciser This strange looking device is designed to assist in helping to strengthen your lungs. The way the inspiratory exerciser works is that when you inhale, the balls in the exerciser will move up. A sign of strong lungs is when all three balls rise to the top of the exerciser. In addition to this, the exerciser is also very good at opening up your airways. It can help you breathe more easily by reducing the mucus trapped in your lungs. This is a very practical device especially after lung surgery due to lung cancer or when impacted by COPD. Vaporiser A vaporiser is designed to add moisture in the air within your home when humidity levels drop. Some have the capacity to purify air in larger rooms whereas others are limited to smaller spaces. It is designed to help those with respiratory conditions to sleep more comfortably by removing the bacteria, dust, odours and pollen from the air. The device can be used by anyone, regardless of whether they are living with any lung conditions. It is ideal for those who have sensitive lungs and are easily impacted by dust or pollen. The other advantage of a vaporiser is that some of them have the capability of improving the smell of your room. This can be done by adding aromatic essential oils to the vaporiser. The aroma can bring some temporary relief from coughs or mild flu symptoms. Oximeter An oximeter is a useful device that is able to help assess the oxygen saturation in your blood. This non-invasive monitoring device also enables to provide you with consistent updates on your heart rate. This is important for those who are

4. living with COPD as they need to know how their consumption of oxygen is impacting their overall health; in determining whether their body is getting enough oxygen. Stay Safe Without trying to sound alarmist, it is a very challenging period for all of us, especially those of us living with lung conditions. But maintaining your health should be your number one priority. Aside from maintaining good hygiene you also need to know that there are devices and daily living aids that can help improve your breathing. Bettercaremarket offers a wide range of lung products that will help you breathing easier. If you need any help finding a special device, we are here to help you - not only the practical assistance you require - also peace of mind. Visit: bettercaremarket.com.au