Respiratory care: Approaching life with deep breaths

Breathing is one of the most fundamental physiological functions of the human body, and its importance for our survival and well-being cannot be overstated. Respiratory care is a vital aspect of our health and encompasses everything from maintaining a healthy breathing rhythm to managing respiratory-related diseases.

The vital role of breathing

Breathing is a process where oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is eliminated. This exchange of gases is crucial for supplying our cells with oxygen, which is needed for energy production and our metabolic processes. Healthy breathing also helps regulate the body's acidity and promotes balanced functioning of the nervous system.

Respiratory problems and diseases

Many people experience respiratory problems due to various factors including respiratory infections, allergies, smoking, and air pollution. Respiratory problems can also be the result of chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea. These conditions can be limiting and significantly affect the quality of life.

Strategies for respiratory care

Becoming aware of your breathing and practicing breathing slowly and deeply can help reduce stress and improve lung function. Techniques such as belly breathing and meditation can be useful. Regular exercise can improve lung capacity and efficiency. Aerobic exercise, like walking, swimming, or cycling, is particularly beneficial. For those who smoke, the best way to improve your respiratory health is to quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of lung diseases. Those with allergies should work with their doctor to find ways to control their allergic reactions and thus improve respiratory function.

Treatment of underlying diseases:
Those who have chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD should follow their treatment plan carefully and regularly check their lung function. Those who suffer from sleep apnea can use CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or similar devices to improve nighttime breathing and sleep quality. For some, the use of humidifiers or air purifiers can help, especially for those living in areas with high air pollution.

Respiratory care is crucial for our health and well-being. Awareness of your breathing, a healthy lifestyle, and cooperation with healthcare providers can help you maintain strong respiratory function throughout your life. Taking care of your breathing is approaching life with deep breaths and a strong foundation for a healthy and active life.

Asthma in the elderly: A challenge

Those who cannot breathe freely experience a feeling of suffocation. This can easily create insecurity and thus anxiety. The body's ability to oxygenate itself can be measured with oximeters or as it is also called, pulse oximeters. It is also possible to observe the breathing rate, which should be between 10 - 16 breaths per minute, and that the resident takes sufficiently deep breaths so that the air is exchanged in the lungs.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease often associated with childhood, but it can affect people of all ages, including the elderly. Older adults with asthma may face unique challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and treatment.

Symptoms and diagnosis of asthma

Older adults may develop asthma for the first time or may have had asthma since childhood. The most common symptoms of asthma are usually:
Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical exertion.
Cough: A persistent cough that may be worse at night or early in the morning.
Wheezing or whistling sound: Sounds from the lungs when breathing, sometimes described as "whistling" or "wheezing."
Tightness in the chest: A feeling that the chest is tight or uncomfortable.

Diagnosing asthma in older adults can be more complicated than in younger people because the symptoms can be confused with other age-related diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Doctors usually use various tests, including lung function tests and allergy tests, to establish an asthma diagnosis.

Causes and triggering factors for asthma in the elderly

The exact causes of asthma in the elderly are not entirely known, but there are several factors that can contribute:

Hereditary: If asthma runs in the family, the risk of developing asthma increases.
Effects of aging on the lungs: Aging can affect lung function and make the elderly more susceptible to breathing problems.
Allergies: Older adults can develop new allergies that can trigger asthma attacks.
Smoking: If a person has smoked throughout their life, it can increase the risk of asthma and other lung problems.
Air pollution: Exposure to air pollutants or harmful substances in the workplace can also increase the risk.

Treatment of asthma in the elderly

Treating asthma in the elderly may require special efforts. Doctors can prescribe inhaled medications to manage asthma. It's important that older adults understand how to use their inhalers correctly, which may require education. Older adults sometimes have other treatments that asthma medication can interact with. The doctor needs to have a complete picture of the elder's health condition. Lung function needs to be followed up to ensure that the treatment is effective.

Vaccinations:
Because older adults may be more susceptible to serious infections, including pneumonia, influenza vaccination and pneumonia vaccination are recommended in many cases.

Smoking:
If the elder smokes, smoking cessation may be an important part of the treatment.

Asthma in the elderly is a complex issue, and it's important to individualize treatment for each patient. With the right diagnosis and proper care, older adults with asthma can continue to live an active and healthy life.

Oral care is an important part of respiratory care. Dry mucous membranes, cough, and phlegm can affect breathing. Sometimes those who have breathing problems may need extra oxygen. In nursing homes, oxygen concentrators are often used. Storing oxygen cylinders requires high fire safety standards and is often unsuitable in a nursing home.

Those who suffer from asthma have attacks of difficulty breathing. Often the breathing sounds like a whistling wheezing sound. Those who suffer from asthma often have a long-lasting cough associated with colds. What happens in the body is that the mucous membranes in the airways swell and it becomes difficult for the air to get down to the lungs. Thick mucus is also formed which further obstructs the airflow.

Sometimes there are links to substances that the resident is allergic to. This means that the difficulties can increase when certain pollen is in the air. There may then be reason to air the apartment in the evening when the pollen count is usually lower. For some people, cold air, strong scent, or cigarette smoke can be a triggering factor.

Activity is always good. For those who have asthma, it may be good to take bronchodilating drugs before exertion. Most older people who have asthma have had the disease for many years. They therefore usually know themselves what works for them. Often the person with asthma can manage their own inhaler, even in the nursing home.

One treatment used in asthma is resistance breathing. The person with asthma then has a mouthpiece, PEP, which provides resistance to breathe through. In this way, an airway pressure is maintained in the airways. Others may have a breathing apparatus CPAP that provides an air pressure in the airways throughout the breathing cycle.

Reflection questions - asthma
Care staff:
• Do you have experience of helping people with asthma attacks?
• Have you been trained in how best to help the resident when an asthma attack occurs?

Manager, nurse, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist:
• Do you have routines for handling inhalers, PEP, and CPAP?
• Is the air environment in the nursing home good for people with asthma?
• Have the nursing assistants been trained to take and report vital parameters?

Resident and relatives:
• Does the home have good ventilation?
• Are there strong smells on the unit?

Erland Olsson
Specialist nurse
Sofrosyne - Better care every day