Here's the deal about COPD being a progressive disease. Everyone begins to lose lung function sometime between age 20 and 25, regardless of whether they have lung disease or not, and we know about how much they lose each year. So in one sense, living is a progressive disease as far as the lungs are concerned, and we all lose some lung function every year. Those of us with lung disease lose lung function a lot faster than those without.

When we measure lung function, using spirometry or pulmonary function testing, we look at the FEV1. This is how much air can be expelled in the first second of expiration; in other words, how much can you blow out in the first second of blowing. That is measured in liters. We know how much the person without lung disease would blow and we compare what we blow to that "normal person". That gives us a percentage. For instance, my percentage is in the mid-30s.

What happens every year is that while the absolute number I can blow goes down by the same amount as the normal person's, I'm still only able to blow 35% or what that normal person could, and that's a measure of my lung disease or lung function.

Mine's been stable since 2000, when I was first diagnosed. I am sure that part of what has helped me keep stable is exercise, weight control and diet, taking my meds, getting my flue and pneumonia shots, staying away from people with bugs and getting to my doc ASAP when I do get something respiratory. The exercise and catching bugs early are probably the two most important things.

Just FYI buteyko is NOT recommended for people with COPD. Learn pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing instead. Lots of the yoga breathing techniques are recommended.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member no sorry vut it is a progressive disease and will get worse with time, if you exercise, eat healthy and listen to your dr and take your meds the way you should, you should be able to keep it from progressing for many years. I have had this disease for way over 20 yrs now and I have just started the. L ast 3 yrs going downhill some but then I have had a good run with it and I also got lazy and stopped my walking and exercise. Walking is the most important thing you can do so keep walking ,not a marathon but a decent speed that you might start puffing a bit . Hope that answers your question and gives you something to think about. Your fev at 53 is quite good so try to keep it there. Take care

Mentioned Users

A MyCOPDT...

never had problem with enogen have two

re buteyko.... i was told its good for COPD ? the research certainly supports it

Many thanks.