For people with lung conditions, stairlifts can provide much needed independence and mobility. By allowing the user to stay seated while moving up and down staircases, stairlifts take away the need to exert energy by climbing stairs. This can be a huge relief for those who experience shortness of breath or fatigue easily.
In addition, stairlifts can help to prevent falls, which are a common hazard for those with lung conditions. By providing a safe and easy way to navigate stairways, stairlifts can help people with lung conditions live more independently and confidently.
What are the most common lung problems?
The lungs are a vital organ, responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide as we breathe. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to a range of problems, some of which can be serious.
Here are some of the most common lung problems:
- Asthma
- Collapse of part or all of the lung (pneumothorax or atelectasis)
- Swelling and inflammation in the main passages (bronchial tubes) that carry air to the lungs (bronchitis)
- COPD
- Lung cancer
- Lung infection (pneumonia)
- Abnormal build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
- Blocked lung artery (pulmonary embolus)
What are the symptoms of having lung problems?
Most of the common symptoms are detailed below:
• Trouble breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort when breathing in or out
• Feeling like you’re not getting enough air
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Coughing up blood or mucus
• A cough that won’t go away
• Decreased ability to exercise
About respiratory disease
Respiratory disease is a general term that covers a range of conditions affecting the lungs and airways. These include conditions such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis and emphysema. In the UK, it’s estimated that around 1 in 12 adults suffer from some form of respiratory disease.
The number of people affected is rising, due in part to an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of smoking. Respiratory disease can have a significant impact on quality of life, with sufferers often experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. It can also lead to hospitalisation and even death.
The good news is that there are treatments available that can help to improve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. If you think you may have respiratory disease, it is important to see your GP for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The NHS has set out their ambitions for the next 10 years in a Long Term Plan which identifies respiratory disease as an important clinical priority and outlines how investment will be targeted towards improving treatments available to those suffering from these conditions.
There is also a wealth of useful information about these conditions, how best to avoid them and how to get help on the NHS website.
Coping with lung problems
All these conditions affect people differently; for some people the effects may be relatively minor and may not last long. Others may be left with more serious health issues that can be life-changing and make them much more dependent on other people or mobility aids.
The most common of these is the ability to get around their home easily and independently, especially when trying to get up and down stairs and this is where a Stairlift (or Chair Lift as some people like to call them) can prove to be invaluable.
Quite recently, we installed a stairlift for a lady in Sunderland, who was really struggling to get upstairs to her bathroom and bedroom.
We were delighted to be able to help her and so quickly arranged a FREE no obligation survey to discuss which model of stairlift would be best suited for her.
Following the survey, we recommended a reconditioned Bison 180 curved stairlift would be the best option as this would take her all the way up to the 2nd floor and only 24 hours later installed it for her.
The lift now allows her to get up and down stairs easily and quickly which has put the whole family’s minds at rest.
As the 5* Trustpilot review she sent us a few days later said,
“I’m 72 with a lung complaint and struggle getting up and down stairs and my husband is 86. Having the chair lift installed has improved our lives by 200%. I would recommend Leodis to anyone and can promise that they will not be disappointed. From the moment the gentleman who came to measure and explained everything at a level we could understand, through to the young man who installed it, who went out of his way to help us as much as he could, everyone was so helpful. In fact, the whole process from enquiring to getting the chair lift installed was only 3 days and money very well spent”.
Leodis have been installing high-quality stair lifts for over 30 years. Our dedicated team of surveyors and expert engineers will always respond to your enquiry promptly and efficiently, as we understand the urgency of having such a solution in place, for those suffering from a lung condition.
