DH might have COPD and possible diabetes - any advice?

[LittleBlackDress]

DH is an ex smoker, now vapes. Mid 50s. Always been slim but has started to get a pot belly in the last couple of years. Has been asthmatic since a child. Saw the asthma nurse recently and she says he needs a test for possible COPD. Awaiting appointment date. I’m also worried about diabetes. He is tired all the time. Asleep on the sofa by 8pm most nights. Drinks but not to excess. Is there anything I can do to help - diet etc? I do most of the cooking and food shopping (my choice) so I can adapt that if need be. He likes takeaway but will probably have to move away from that. He is open to making lifestyle changes (stopping vaping etc), whether or not he can see them through is another issue!

Sounds like he needs a general life style change, but only he can do that. Vaping is also awful for the body. If suspected diabetes, he needs to get that checked by the doctor.

If he has full blood count done and check if he misses certain vitamins that would help. Being tired after eating is more like diabetes, being tired early evening something different. Don't assume the worst.

I’m not sure what advice you’re looking for - nothing in your OP suggests diabetes really, and he doesn’t have the COPD diagnosis yet either.

Any changes need to come from him, not you - I say that as someone whose DH was diagnosed with diabetes last year.

I agree, I am getting a bit ahead of myself and not entirely sure what I’m hoping to achieve.

I want to help without interfering. I’ll read the diabetes website and see what dietary changes I can make as a family in the interim.

We eat early, about 6.30/7pm and once he has tidied up the kitchen (his job 😊), he lies on the sofa and is asleep within minutes, even if he really wants to watch the program / football match etc.

I guess I was wondering if there are any things that have helped other people - eg walking after a meal, gentle exercise that won’t trigger his asthma etc.

Increasing exercise, cutting out ultra processed foods and take aways and stopping vaping would be great starts. He could walk, cycle, or maybe swim unless the chlorine aggravates the asthma. How active is he now?

Nothing here indicates diabetes. Lack of oxygenated blood caused by either vaping and/or COPD can result in fatigue - obviously. Far more likely to be the vaping. How much is he vaping per hour/day? Many people swap smoking for vaping thinking it’s healthier. However, they end up vaping almost continuously as it’s easier to do indoors etc, and they end up with their vape constantly grasped in their hand, drawing on it every few minutes (unlike a cigarette) which leads to their blood oxygen levels being too low - resulting in extreme fatigue.

Before getting carried away suspecting diabetes and copd he needs to quit vaping asap. It’s the single best thing he could do for his immediate health.

That’s really helpful, thank you. Sounds like a pretty accurate synopsis! This is the first target and then I’ll work on the takeaways.

thanks all for commenting. Just worried here and feel a bit helpless at the moment.

He needs to quit vaping too. I lost my dad in January due to consequences of COPD & Diabeties. Watching someone constantly struggling for breath, unable to walk or even move ..... on 24/7 oxygen.... its hideous. I am safe in the knowledge that neither of my children will smoke or vape. They have been scared by Grandads demise.