Lanarkshire Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group

Vaccinations

Stay Active

You should stay up to date with influenza, pneumonia, pneumococcus and Covid-19 vaccines. If you are taking immunosuppressants you should keep your herpes zoster virus vaccinations up to date.

Moderate regular, exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen the muscles and helps the body work efficiently. Whether physiotherapist guided, or exercising independently daily activity should be adapted to your ability. For people receiving supplemental oxygen, physical exertion should be minimal.

Avoid Stress

Eat healthily

Relaxation techniques can teach you to manage the panic that can occur with being short of breath. If you are physically and emotionally relaxed it may help you to avoid excessive oxygen consumption.

Where possible a balanced, diet is usually recommended.

However if you are taking antifibrotic drugs, different side effects related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhoea, nausea, bloating, decreased appetite and weight loss, may occur. For some changes to the diet may be needed, e.g. avoiding raw vegetables or diary products. Also you may have to adjust your diet depending on treatment (e.g., risk of diarrhoea with Nintedanib).

Get plenty of rest

Sleep is essential for boosting your immune system and improving well-being.

Exercising

Yoga or other activities, for example Pilates, Tai Chi or Qi Gong, are beneficial for you, they can stimulate the lungs focus the breathing. Simple breathing exercises can improve lung function and relieve breathing problems.

Relaxation

There are different relaxation techniques that can help you cope with the emotional and psychological challenges. One of these is mindfulness which can assist to manage when they are distressed, discouraged, scared, or in pain and helps you stay to calm.