(Family Features) Take a deep breath. Now ask yourself: When was the last time you thought about breathing? For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), breathing is often front of mind because it can be difficult, and it gets worse over time.

Dealing with COPD

There is no cure yet for COPD, but experts from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommend these strategies to protect your lung health at every age.

Younger Adults: Prevention is Key
COPD is less common in younger adults, but it’s never too early to protect your lungs. The most important way to prevent COPD is to not smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75% of people with COPD have a history of smoking. Smoking isn’t the only risk factor for COPD. Exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes or dust from the environment or workplace can also increase your risk. If you breathe in lung irritants at work, talk to your employer about how to limit exposure.

People with a genetic condition called AAT (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin) deficiency, sometimes known as Alpha-1, may have COPD-like symptoms as early as age 20. If you have symptoms or a family history of COPD, talk to your health care provider about being tested for AAT deficiency.

“It’s a simple, quick and highly accurate test that could improve the lives of some people with COPD,” said Dr. Mihaela Stefan of the NHLBI.

Middle-Aged Adults: Know the Symptoms and Seek Help
Most people are 40 or older when COPD symptoms start. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue. These are not just signs of getting older, and they’re not the same as seasonal allergies.

If you have symptoms, ask your health care provider if you should be tested for COPD. Discuss your smoking habits, family history of COPD and long-term exposure to lung irritants. Your health care provider may recommend lung function tests or imaging to diagnose COPD.

If you smoke, get help to quit. You don’t have to go it alone. Family, friends, your health care provider and support groups can all lend a hand.

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Older Adults: Take Steps to Manage COPD
Older adults are at greater risk of COPD. If you’ve been diagnosed, follow your treatment plan and take medicines as prescribed.

Lifestyle changes can help people with COPD breathe better. Talk to your health care provider about pulmonary rehabilitation, a personalized treatment program that teaches COPD management strategies. Ask about an eating plan that will meet your nutritional needs and what types of physical activity you can safely do. Stay up to date with vaccinations against flu, pneumonia and COVID-19.

If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do to slow the progression of COPD and is an important part of COPD treatment plans. Ask your provider about options for quitting.

At any age, taking care of your lungs is crucial. Learn about COPD from Learn More Breathe Better^® at copd.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Photo courtesy of Shuterstock

SOURCE:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

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(Family Features) From a day spent in the office to evenings out and everywhere in between, there’s one thing virtually everyone leaves behind now and again: a mess. Whether it’s scratch paper from a morning meeting or food scraps and used napkins at your favorite restaurant, you’re likely to leave some trash in your wake on any given day.

Keeping Your Community Clean

While waste is a normal part of everyday life, there are ways you can do your part to keep your community clean beyond simply picking up after yourself, including keeping in mind the hardworking custodians who make big things possible by working tirelessly to maintain clean and safe spaces every day.

To show appreciation for those custodians, Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) is hosting celebrations across the U.S. for the third year in a row to engage with and personally thank those who keep the world working by going above and beyond keeping public spaces spotless.

These events aim to elevate, recognize and thank those who go above and beyond for cleanliness and safety. Consider these ways you can add to the cause and do your part for clean offices, schools, neighborhoods and beyond.

Pick Up After Yourself
Striving for a cleaner community doesn’t happen overnight; it begins with small steps and habits you can incorporate every day. One of the easiest ways you can lend a hand to maintenance professionals is by simply cleaning up after yourself, from recycling used paper at the office to properly disposing of that popcorn bucket after catching a movie.

Encourage Cleanliness at Work
An unkempt work environment can be a detriment to both productivity and safety. Voice any concerns you may have about your workspace and recommend tools that can help encourage cleanliness. Consider the variety of innovative products RCP offers, including Utility and Decorative Trash Cans, Mops, Broom Carts, Safety Signs, Heavy-Duty Trucks and more that can help get the job done.

Keep Cleanup Supplies on Hand
Go beyond your own messes and fight back against litter in public spaces by keeping cleanup supplies in a backpack while hiking, stowed away while biking or in your trunk while driving through town. A few small trash bags and disposable gloves or a trash picker are all you need to help put a stop to littered parks and neighborhoods.

Organize Community Cleaning Events
If you’re ready to go above and beyond, consider organizing a community cleanup. Set a date and time, gather supplies like trash bags and gloves then spread the news to family, friends and neighbors, and share why it’s important to keep spaces clean and safe. Start with a local park or your own neighborhood to avoid overwhelming your volunteers, but as your cleanup crew grows, you can tackle larger areas.

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Find more solutions to strive for cleaner communities at rubbermaidcommercial.com/behind-the-scenes-of-clean.

SOURCE:
Rubbermaid Commercial Products

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge

Older adults speak out about aging

(Family Features) Older adults in America often face a harsh reality when it comes to health care. While Baby Boomers are living longer than prior generations, they are more likely to struggle to get the care they need due to financial challenges, hard-to-navigate health insurance coverage and widening gaps between who receives high-quality care and who doesn’t.

Quality Health Care

They’re now speaking up about how the health care system isn’t listening to them.Older adults want care that adds life to their years, not just years to their life, according to research from Age Wave and The John A. Hartford Foundation. Just 1 in 10 older adults surveyed gave the U.S. health care system an “A” grade, and 4 in 5 (82%) said it is not prepared for the evolving needs of America’s aging population.

“The United States is on the brink of an age wave of unprecedented proportions, and American health care requires a radical and immediate rethink to match our health spans – being able to live every year to its fullest – to our lifespans,” said Ken Dychtwald, founder and CEO of Age Wave.

Older adults’ top concerns include:

• Health span matters more than lifespan: 97% of older adults agree being healthy means being able to do the things they want to do throughout their lives.
• Affordability: 68% of older adults are concerned about being able to afford future health and long-term care needs like nursing home care.
• Talking about what matters: More than 40% of older adults who have a health care provider are not being asked what matters to them regarding their health by their clinicians.

“It’s important for people to know they can demand age-friendly care,” said Terry Fulmer, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “Clinicians can make changes to better provide care that’s based on what matters most to their patients. It’s a win-win for older adults and providers.”

3 Ways to Get the Care Older Adults Need
Older adults who receive age-friendly care, or care that prioritizes their preferences, are more likely to report having a good health span than those who do not. They’re also more likely to remain socially and physically active and follow a healthy diet.

There are tools to help older adults get age-friendly care:

• Check if local care providers offer age-friendly care, and if they don’t, ask “why not?” Age-friendly care is offered in more than 4,000 care settings across the country. Use an online tool to find an age-friendly hospital or practice at johnahartford.org/agefriendly.
• Talk to clinicians about care preferences using the 4 M’s.
  • What Matters: As people age, their care needs may change. Use an online guide to identify health priorities and start discussions with care providers.
  • Medication: Ask about the side effects of prescriptions using a tip sheet.
  • Mind: Learn about the signs of memory decline and what to do about it.
  • Mobility: Create an activity plan to help you keep moving and stay healthy.
• Learn more about age-friendly care.

For more information about how older adults view health care and resources to get needed care, visit johnahartford.org/crossroads.

Photo courtesy of iStock

SOURCE:
John A. Hartford Foundation

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

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