Have you ever thought about how other medical conditions might affect your COPD? Many people with COPD also have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, depression, sleep apnea, and more. These diseases and conditions, called “comorbidities”, can have a direct effect on your COPD.
Think about your body like a machine. If one part doesn’t work properly, it affects the entire system. The same is true for comorbidities and COPD. For example, if you have arthritis, you may have trouble getting around. With COPD, activity is essential to maintaining your quality of life. So, if your arthritis is left untreated, and every step is painful, you may find that you move around less. This can cause your COPD symptoms to worsen, and you may become more short of breath when you try to walk around your home.
What other comorbidities can you think of that might affect your COPD? This month, the COPD Foundation’s education team is discussing comorbidities and their relationship with COPD. Which comorbidities are you interested in learning about? What questions might you have about comorbidities and how to treat them? Share your questions with us, and you might see the answers in another post this month.