UPMC for Life HMO/PPO Plan Caring for Life Newsletter

CARING FOR LIFE • Issue Three • 2021 10 Early detection of COPD may help your doctor limit its progress. If you’re experiencing any breathing issues, you may want to have a spirometry, a simple test to measure your lung function. This test can help determine if your difficulty breathing is due to COPD. People suffering from COPD are more likely to struggle with simple physical activities like walking or climbing stairs. They may need supplemental oxygen tanks to aid in breathing, which can limit their ability to leave the house and visit friends and family, go to places of worship, or eat out. Those with COPD are more likely to have chronic diseases like congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and asthma. They’re also more likely to have Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious group of diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States in 2018, and almost 15.7 million Americans have been diagnosed with the illness. COPD is caused by exposure to air pollutants, especially tobacco smoke. But air pollution and occupational exposure to chemicals can also lead to COPD. increased confusion or memory loss, suffer from depression or anxiety, and have to visit the emergency room or stay overnight in the hospital. But there are things you can do to lower your risk for COPD, or to improve your condition through treatment if you’ve already been diagnosed: Stop smoking. Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do. You should also avoid situations where you may be exposed to tobacco smoke. Pulmonary rehabilitation. A doctor can develop a personalized treatment program to improve your quality of life. You’ll learn the best ways to exercise, discover more about your condition, and find local support groups who can help. Proper medication. Prescribed medicines can help reduce symptoms like coughing and wheezing. Get vaccinated. Lung infections are especially dangerous for those with COPD. Make sure you are current on your COVID-19, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines. Use supplemental oxygen. Oxygen can help you maintain mental functioning. Don’t be embarrassed to use an oxygen tank—it’s more common than you think. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Basics About COPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/copd/ basics-about.html What you need to know about COPD Getting your flu shot is more important than ever. Not only does it prevent you and others from getting sick, but it also prevents other serious health problems the flu can cause. As a UPMC for Life member, you can get your flu shot easily, and it’s FREE. Simply go to your doctor’s office or any in-network pharmacy and show your member ID card. You can also get your flu shot at one of our Have you gotten your flu shot this year? in-person Staying in Touch member events! See the event schedule on page 4. If you have to pay for your flu shot, we will reimburse you. You can complete a reimbursement form on My Health OnLine or print one out and mail it to us. To find a nearby pharmacy where you can get a free flu shot, visit upmchealthplan.com/find.