Valuable Resources for People Living With COPD
In the early days of being diagnosed with COPD, it's important to get the right information. While your doctor can get you started, time constraints in a consultation can mean it’s a lot to absorb.
There are plenty of ways to become educated about COPD – it's up to you what avenue to take. Be open-minded to what fellow patients tell you and if something doesn't sound right, then either ask your doctor or research it yourself.
In this day and age there is really no reason to be uninformed about COPD. This is a small sample of the blogs, websites, books and other resources I've had experience with, but there are many more out there. Take the time to try them all and you'll more than likely find one that suits you.
Blogs
COPD in Focus
Created by Vanessa Smith, COPD in Focus is a wealth of information about COPD. Vanessa is a COPD activist and patient and her knowledge and determination with all things COPD is amazing. If there is a new medical breakthrough, Vanessa is all over it. This lady is also a determined exerciser and can be found walking around the trails of Cornwall in Australia.
Derek Cummings – Living with COPD
Derek was diagnosed with COPD in 1987 and has been blogging for many years, so you can imagine there's a lot to read. His blog is an encyclopedia of COPD and well worth a look, as this man has a wealth of experience as a patient.
COPD Athlete
Of course, I'm going to recommend my own blog – a work in progress. COPD Athlete is designed to inspire and motivate people with COPD to make positive change to their lives through exercise. In the future, it will feature online training programs, exercise video blogs and healthy food options.
Books
To be honest, I'm not an avid reader of books, so the books I'm going to list are ones that I've had referred to me as excellent books.
The Complete Guide to Understanding and Living with COPD: From A COPDer's Perspective, R.D. Martin
While this book was published in 2010 and may be missing some recent developments, it was written by a COPD patient so the information is a real life account of a patient’s journey and written in a way so you can relate.
Live Your Life with COPD: 52 Weeks of Health, Happiness and Hope, Jane M. Martin, BA, LRT, CRT
Jane has many years’ experience in the treatment of COPD patients and has a passion for positive patient outcomes. This book, an insight into better living with COPD, is an invaluable tool for everyday living and is a testament to many years of dedicated care. Janes works with the COPD Foundation and is readily available to answer patients question via the COPD Foundation’s 360 Social website.
