Discussions in the examination room often center around a patient’s lack of ability to do the same things they have done in the past. I can be guilty of the same thought process. Many times, patients complain that they cannot walk as far or as fast as they did in the past or they feel weaker and unable to go up stairs or even get out of a chair. Because many of my patients have< limitations due to their pulmonary disease, they are seeking a treatment that will improve their performance. I usually need to point out that some, if not all, of their complaints are only partially related to their lung impairment.
Age and the consequent muscle loss that comes with the aging process is often the biggest problem. Moreover, due to the systemic effects of a disease such as COPD, there is often an accelerated loss of muscle mass and function due to the generalized inflammatory process introduced by this disease. The weight loss that is often seen affects not only the big muscles of the legs and arms but also the muscles used for breathing.
The loss of muscle strength and ability to do previous exercise activities leads to a further reduction in activity level. Often patients feel depressed, and this further complicates the picture.
My best advice is to have a reasonable expectation about your ability to function. Take your medications, don’t get infected and stay as active as you can. Realistic expectations are important.
