Diet And Lifestyle Tips For COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is also referred to as COPD, is a chronic lung disease. It is characterized by chronic lung inflammation and obstructed airflow in the lungs, causing permanent lung damage. Symptoms include a chronic cough, excessive mucus production, chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue and lethargy, and wheezing. The leading cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. In fact, up to 30 percent of smokers will develop this condition. Besides smoking, air pollution and genetics also increase an individual’s risk of developing this lung disease.

COPD medications include bronchodilators to relax airway muscles, as well as corticosteroids. Patients have also often been prescribed COPD treatment inhalers. When the coughing is particularly bad, many individuals with COPD will need to take a COPD cough syrup. When it comes to smoking and COPD, individuals are often told to try smoking cessation products.

Quit Smoking

As stated, smoking is the leading cause of COPD, with at least 90 percent of all cases being attached to smokers. Therefore, the most effective lifestyle tip to manage the condition is to quit smoking. Unfortunately, it is also incredibly difficult to do, since smoking cigarettes is quite addictive.

Patients are often recommended to consult their doctor, who can develop a strategy for them to do this safely. This might mean slowly tapering off how much they smoke or quitting completely right away. In any case, patients will often need to use products to help them stop smoking. They may also need to attend a support group regularly. Individuals with COPD who are not smokers may have experienced secondhand exposure. They should avoid all sources of this as much as possible.

Get the details on why avoiding another lung pollutant is a vital lifestyle change for individuals with COPD now.

Protect Against Air Pollution

Although air pollution is not as common of a cause of COPD as smoking is, it is still vital for patients to protect themselves from it. This is because air pollution can cause further damage to the lungs and worsen their condition. This risk is particularly significant in large metropolitan areas. One strategy for COPD patients to employ is to avoid going outside and exercising when pollution levels are the highest. This is normally during the middle of the day.

Patients should also avoid exercising in high traffic areas. They should also use air purification devices and filters in their houses. The recycled air setting in their vehicle is vital for when they are sitting in traffic. This prevents polluted air from the toxic car exhaust from getting inside. Wearing a mask can help when individuals cannot completely avoid air pollution.

Discover how including more exercise actually helps COPD patients next.

Engage In Exercise

Unfortunately, exercise is not a cure for COPD when it is the only treatment patients are employing. However, it may be possible to boost lung health and improve breathing through exercise. Individuals who are suffering from COPD will need to exercise with additional caution, since most patients will have avoided physical activity because of the stress it puts on their lungs. Patients will, therefore, want to start with low impact exercises, such as walking rather than running. Yoga and pilates are also helpful. In the beginning, patients should avoid intense cardiovascular exercises. They should also talk to their doctor to get a personalized exercise plan for their condition.

Individuals need to focus on their breathing constantly in the next lifestyle tip for COPD.

Breathing Exercises

Individuals have to improve the strength of their lungs when they are suffering from COPD. This will not cure their condition, but it may help improve how they handle it. Physical activity, as mentioned, can help with this. However, breathing exercises are also vital. The two major strategies for patients to use to attempt to improve the health of their lungs are diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing. The former breathing exercise involves placing a hand on the stomach below the rib cage and one on the chest. Individuals must inhale and let their ribs rise but keep their chest motionless. They should then tighten their stomach and exhale slowly.

All individuals really need to do for pursed-lip breathing is pucker their lips and then inhale and exhale slowly. They can even add this strategy to their diaphragmatic breathing for additional power. However, this can be tough to do.

Uncover information on what nutrient is vital for COPD treatment next.

Eat Antioxidants

Antioxidants are vital for individuals who are suffering from COPD. The foods that are high in antioxidants are what help the body get rid of toxins and keep the immune system as strong as possible. This means the lungs can function more efficiently, though due to COPD they will still have lung damage and have to work harder than a healthy individual’s lungs. Sources of antioxidants that may help individuals with COPD improve the strength of their lungs include cranberries, goji berries, blueberries, and elderberries. Besides berries, they may also choose to consume dark chocolate, pecans, kidney beans, and artichokes.