Lifestyle: At Home - OxygeNation

We can't be jet-setting around the world with our new oxygen concentrators all the time. OxygeNation's At Home section is a primer on getting around the house, nighttime oxygen use, cooking and household tips, and more.

» Tips for Everyday Living
» Sleep Apnea
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Tips for Everyday Living

Adapting to life with oxygen can be difficult. Your lifestyle will have to change, but with the proper maintenance and attention to your health you will still be able to do the things you love. It's easy to get restless around the house when you're reliant on oxygen, and many people try to do too much and end up overexerting themselves. It's important to learn how to pace yourself. You can't do everything, so you have to learn to trust your body. Your body needs extra energy to breathe now, so you will have less to spend on household chores and activities. Quit as soon as you feel tired or winded, and take a break.

Below is a breakdown of a typical day, and how you can get through it in the safest and most enjoyable manner.

Morning

When you first wake up, take a few moments to stretch and regulate your breathing while you're still in bed.
Avoid doing any strenuous chores right away; for example, save making your bed until after you've washed up and gotten a little momentum going.
Leave your robe, slippers, and whatever else you need to change into right by the edge of your bed the night before, so getting dressed can be done quickly and easily while you're still sitting down. Reorganize your closets and drawers so that things you use often are easy to reach.
In the bathroom, use a stool and a hand spray extension if you need them. This will make bathing much easier.
Leave the bathroom door or a window open to release the steam from a hot bath or shower. The excess humidity can be harmful and make you lightheaded or dizzy.
Using the sink is much easier if you have a low mirror so that you can brush your teeth, shave, or do your hair and makeup while you are sitting.
Avoid aerosols and products with a heavy perfume. These can aggravate your lung disorder symptoms.
Choose clothing that is loose fitting and won't restrict your breathing or circulation. This could include tight sweaters, turtlenecks, elastic socks, belts, bras and tight fitting underwear, and neckties. Dress in functional, light cotton layers. Slip-on shoes are a must.

Afternoon

Find a way to manage your medication that works for you. Try using a pillbox with separate compartments for each day, and even different times of day. That way you'll know you're taking everything at the right time. Some medicines may need to be taken with meals, so plan accordingly.
Similarly, manage your oxygen equipment so it's easy to use and easy to access. Put it all together in one place so you can have it when you need it.
If you're doing timed treatments (through a nebulizer for example), set it up where you'll have something to read or to watch while using the machine. Near a window or in your TV room is a good place. Don't forget to make time to clean the equipment regularly.
If your oxygen equipment is noisy, try placing it on a carpet or other padded surface. This should make it run quieter. If you have trouble hearing a radio or television while it is running, get a headset or peripheral speaker to help. Alternatively, ask your provider for the latest technology.
When doing things around the house, think about it before you start going aimlessly from room to room. Plan it out and go in a straight path, picking things up and doing tasks on your way. Use a small cart to carry things around the house with you; make sure it is big enough to use outdoors and at the store, but small enough to move comfortably around the house with.
Stay on top of your household chores. Don't let things slide too much, because a dirty house can make everything about your disease seem worse. Make your home a nice place to be, and set it up how you like it.
If you live in a house with stairs, getting up and down can be challenging. Take it easy and rest on the way up if you need to. Carrying things upstairs can be especially taxing-again, slow down and avoid overexertion. Remember the pursed lip breathing exercises.
Housework can stir up dust into the air. Take whatever precautions you can to avoid breathing in dust, such as wearing a mask, and taking frequent breaks. When using a vacuum cleaner, be careful emptying it. All that dust and dirt can be very irritating to your lungs if it spills.
Cook for your condition. This means smaller, lighter meals and planning out your diet. When cooking a meal from scratch, make extra that you can freeze and save for another night. Packaged meals can be a simple solution, but make sure they are healthy and not high in sodium or sugar. Use your microwave-it can make cooking much easier and quicker. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation in your kitchen, because it can get very hot very fast, and the odors can irritate your condition. Finally, try to wash used pots and pans as you finish with them, and if you use them often, leave them out on the stove for the next meal instead of going to the trouble of putting them away.
Get outside whenever you can. If you're lucky enough to have a garden, don't be afraid to do some light yardwork. Just take it easy and do things in steps, with frequent breaks. A gardening stool is essential for people living with COPD. If you have a big yard that requires lots of upkeep, get tools that are easy to use. A ride-on mower is perfect for people limited by a lung disorder who still want to get out and mow their own lawn. If you suffer from asthma or are sensitive to certain plants or other allergens, you may want to consider wearing a mask to block harmful things from reaching your lungs.
When leaving the house to go shopping or do some errands, pay attention to what kind of a day it is. Is it too hot or too cold? Could anything make your symptoms kick up? Consider these things before any journey, no matter how small. Consider getting a cellular phone to have with you in case of an emergency. Trips to the store should be scheduled for times when they aren't that crowded, and use the shopping cart to carry your oxygen equipment. Avoid establishments that allow smoking, as this can obviously be hazardous to your condition.
For any errand, get things all set up for yourself at home before you leave. This means prepping your evening meal, laying out your comfortable clothing for later, and getting all your housework done. This way you'll be able to relax when you get home after a stressful day out on the town.

Evening

Get into your pajamas before you are going to bed, and do some light stretching and even some of your exercises. This will help you relax and decrease the amount of things you have to do before your head hits the pillow.
Have everything handy right by the bed before you get into it, so you won't have to keep getting up and down. If your mobility is more limited, you may want to consider a bedside urinal container for nighttime use.
If you use oxygen at night, check the equipment and set everything up before bedtime. Double check the flow settings, and place the tank or concentrator at a comfortable distance from where you are sleeping so that you can reach it without getting out of bed. When wearing a cannula at night, make sure it fits comfortably and won't slip off during the night.
Use a nightlight. With oxygen equipment, it can be easy to get tangled up in the dark.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night, and try to go to bed at around the same time. You need as much energy as you can get every day, and proper rest is essential.

About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that affects more than 12 million Americans, and often occurs in people already suffering from COPD. Whether or not they are related to each other is still unknown, but the risk factors have enough overlap to be mutually inclusive.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

Obstructive: This occurs when the back of your throat closes up during sleep, preventing you from breathing.
Central: This is when your brain stops telling your lungs and chest muscles to take a breath during sleep.
Mixed: A combination of the two.

If you find yourself waking up over and over again during the night feeling short of breath, you could also have sleep apnea. If you snore excessively, this could also be a sign of the condition. Having both COPD and sleep apnea could affect your treatment, so speak with your doctor immediately if you think you might be at risk.

The Oxygenation Community

There are people just like you out there, and they may have the answers you're looking for when it comes to everyday household issues, or sleeping better, or getting around your yard, your neighborhood, and your town.

Click here to head over to the OygeNation Community, where you can get 'everyday expert' advice on this and more in the Lifestyle forums.