Asthma-COPD overlap, also known as ACO, “happens when you have symptoms of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)”. In order to understand this form of asthma, one must first have a firm understanding of Asthma and COPD separately. The reason why is because these diagnoses are two different things. Asthma is “a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breath” while COPD is “a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.”

When these two conditions are put together, and one begins to experience asthma-COPD overlap, it makes it a whole lot harder for him/her to be able to breathe. The two correlate because having asthma can eventually lead to COPD if one is not careful – and/or doesn’t already have it. The causes for it are also similar to asthma because “long-term exposure to other lung irritants – such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust – also may contribute to COPD.” This includes cigarettes and other such things.

But even though the causes for both are closely related, the symptoms may differ in some areas. Those who have COPD may experience “having to clear their throat first thing in the morning, due to excess mucus in their lungs, a chronic cough that may produce mucus that may be clear, white, yellow, or greenish, blueness of the lips or fingernail beds, frequent respiratory infections, lack of energy, unintended weight loss; swelling in ankles, feet or legs.”

Fortunately, there are ways to help the person feel less discomfort than they would without treatment. One of the options is through a bronchodilator which is “a drug that causes widening of the bronchi.” This, in other words, helps the person to breathe a whole lot better by the expanding of airways. Such medicine is also “taken by inhalation for the alleviation of asthma.” Steroids are also an option along with other things such as oxygen therapy which “provides extra oxygen to the lungs.”           

In conclusion, it’s possible for those who are faced with an asthma-COPD overlap to receive treatment and experience some sense of normalcy as treatment ensues. This can help them to learn how to better cope with their condition, while still being able to enjoy their everyday lives without struggling to breathe as much in their normal day-to-day activities. In turn, it’s always important for one to seek out the help of a medical professional so that further action can be taken to not only ensure his/her safety, but better his/her lung health.

Substance abuse is defined as “a pattern of repeated drug or alcohol use that often interferes with health, work, or social relationships,” whereas addiction is “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.” Consequently, a wide range of people will assume that both of these terms mean the same thing – but they can differ for a number of reasons. One example of this can be seen through someone who abuses a substance to handle certain difficulties that he/she have undergone – or are currently undergoing – in their life.

First and foremost is substance abuse which many misinterpret as addiction. However, this doesn’t mean it can’t lead to addiction – especially if the person begins to abuse frequently; the term itself applies to drugs and alcohol – which are both important to be on the lookout for. In fact, it only takes one time, or more, of someone consuming the substance – for them to become addicted – but even so, a number of people may only binge them occasionally; mood plays a big role in this because how someone is feeling mentally or emotionally can have a huge impact on how they treat their body physically. After all, it can serve as an unhealthy way to temporary numb what they’re feeling. 

Second is addiction – which prevents the person from enjoying his/her life to its fullest degree. Instead, some individuals will do anything – and everything – that they can to obtain the drug. Consequently – this can become quite severe – as they find themselves submitting wholly to the substance. Eventually, one may even find his/her life in complete ruins – as he/she sacrifices relationships, jobs, and other such things, while trapped in the pitfall of addiction. Fortunately, there is help for those who struggle with addiction – as well as substance abuse; in accepting it they can eliminate destructive behavior from their lives before it grows to be too much, and results in life-long consequences. 

In conclusion, knowing the difference between substance abuse and addiction can help you to better determine what stage you are in. As a result, you can then come to terms with what action you must take in order to get better – by assessing the reason behind why the substance is being abused, and/or why it’s become a full-blown addiction. In doing so, you can discover all the treatment options, and support systems, available to you – despite what you’re going through, or how helpless you may feel.

Ecotherapy is “based on the idea that people are connected to and impacted by the natural environment”. In turn, we oftentimes fail to realize just how big of an impact that nature can have on our mental health, and/or well being. For, it is through it that we can find a number of benefits, such as; peace and growth.

First and foremost is peace, which one is able to experience as they engage with the nature which surrounds him/her. He/she no longer feels overwhelmed by the noises that routinely resonate through both of his/her ears in crowded places, but instead are granted with a state of rest. His/her brain receives more oxygen as he/she takes in the air around him/her, and are able to further interact with various aspects of the world. This allows for peace, rather than the anxiety that comes with the constant sound of car horns, trains belting out, and/or the loud conversing of nearby masses. As a result, those who disconnect themselves from the world, and avert their attention solely to nature, if only for a brief while, can experience a plateau of health benefits.

Second is growth, which can come in the form of not just the nature which surrounds us, but the individual himself/herself as she takes in the nature around him/her. It is through watching growth take place in the various plant life, etc. that one can begin to be helpful of his/her own growth. As he/she watches the seasons change before him/her from cold winter, to warm spring, he/she may begin to see the changes reflect in that of his/her own being. The air can cause one to have both a clear and sound mind, and ease him/her out of his/her normal state of anxiety, dependence, etc. because nature can heal a plethora of things, and be an area of great result, in comparison to remaining isolated indoors.

In conclusion, individuals who subject themselves to nature may find their emotions to be more at peace, rather than feeling enraged or irritated by the smallest inconvenience. It is through such that they can further develop a sense of self, as well as patience, no matter the circumstances that they might experience within that of their day to day life. In turn, no matter what one is facing he/she can find both peace and growth simply as a result of the amount of nature that they chose to take in, interact, and/or engage with.

Combating and type of mental health can sometimes lead to substance abuse, whether it is alcohol or drugs, but have to know that there is an answer by seeking professional help. Help from christian substance abuse treatment centers will provide direction and peace of mind.