Rolland has a good way to show people what it's like to have COPD and what it's like to try to do anything when you're breathing like that. It's unfortunate that people think that 02 helps them breathe. While in one sense it does, what the 02 really does is that it makes sure that every part of your body gets the 02 needed for adequate functioning. Therefore, it's very possible that your 02 sats will be fine, but you may still be very sob. Having good sats means that you're not likely to have heart or brain damage, but you may still be really sob.

I tell people, to stick a straw in their mouth and tape their mouth shut around the straw, then plug their nose. That's what it's like to breathe having COPD.

You will build up endurance over time. You are practicing at home, the safest place to be.
Here is my Smart A** answer for those other folks: They are rushing YOU and are disrespectful. Tell them to put a soda straw in their mouth, cover their ears (so they don't hear you laughing) and squeeze their nostrils shut while taking five deep breaths without exhaling. After they turn back from very red, just smile and comment that they were breathing pretty well. Considering.

If your lungs are in bad shape from the progression of COPD they can not process the oxygen and get rid of the carbon dioxide no matter how many litters of oxygen you inhale. Then the heart has to be strong enough to pump the oxygenated blood through out the body and finally the cells have to be capable of absorbing oxygen from the blood. Results of all this not working is SOB, possible swelling of the lower legs and feet, and extreme weakness.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member I like that answer 😏

Mentioned Users

A MyCOPDT...