About COPD:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lifelong, progressive lung disease. COPD consists of constant obstruction and inflammation of the airways, causing less air to flow in and out of the lungs and result in chronic bronchitis or emphysema. More than 12million people suffer from shortness of breath, fatigue, and persistent cough that develop as a result of COPD.

Other COPD Symptoms Can Include:

• Shortness of breath, even when at rest
• Fatigue, depression, anxiety, or stress
• Lung infections or respiratory failure
• Weight loss
• Accelerated resting heart rate
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Wheezing and chest pain
• Increasing Emergency Room visits or hospitalizations for complications
• Continuous oxygen or increased use of bronchodilators
• Feeling the need to call your doctor’s office with questions about medications or symptoms

As there is currently no cure for this chronic and progressive disease, symptoms will eventually worsen. Patients may develop pneumonia, lung cancer, or even depression as a result of living with COPD. Patients may also face the stress of frequent hospitalizations. In fact, over half of COPD patients are readmitted to the hospital within 12 months of a first admission. COPD can also put a strain on patients and their family caregivers—causing stress, frustration, and financial setbacks. Living with COPD can be a rollercoaster for both the patient and family caregivers. There can be periods or stability where the patient shows no symptoms at all, and other times when there are major exacerbations that can cause severe damage to the lungs. This unpredictability makes caring for COPD difficult to manage alone. With our team’s support, symptoms can become more manageable, stress can be reduced and patients coping with this disease can live happier and healthier lives.

Help For COPD Patients

Hospice of South Texas can greatly improve the quality of life for COPD patients and their loved ones. Our specialized teams of caregivers include registered nurses and hospice physicians uniquely trained in the management and treatment of COPD. By providing both medical and personal care to control symptoms and
reduce anxiety, stress, and pain, we can improve the quality of life for families coping with COPD.

• Respite care services give family caregivers a much needed break while providing expert care for your loved one
• Prevent or reduce hospital stays and ER visits
• Manage COPD symptoms including: shortness of breath, chest pain, stress, depression, and more
• Learn about medications and how to cope with stress and issues related to the illness
• Whole-person, patient-focused care includes physical, social, spiritual, and emotional support
• Patient and caregivers get access to a Registered Nurse 24/7 for symptom management
• Learning about the disease helps you understand what your loved one is experiencing and how to prepare for
their changing needs
• Full support from the Hospice of SouthTexas team including our medical director, nurses, CNAs, social workers,
chaplains and volunteers

For more questions on the treatment and management of COPD, or if you or a loved one are suffering from COPD, call the supportive team at Hospice of South Texas at (361) 572-4300.