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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Obesity: How to Alleviate Symptoms

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a combination of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Patients suffering from COPD have inflammation and blocked airways from excess mucus secretion. Less air gets in and out of the lungs leading to difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. According to the American Lung Association, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Although obesity does not directly cause COPD, it is a risk factor and may play a role in influencing the development of the disease. Fat tissue accumulation impairs breathing and worsens COPD symptoms. Both COPD and obesity cause decrease exercise tolerance and quality of life. Exercise significantly improves lung function and is a treatment used to improve COPD symptoms. Excess body weight can make exercise extremely difficult and quickly lead to shortness of breath. When it comes to exercise, an individual with both conditions may feel as if they hit a brick wall. There are, however, several lifestyle changes that can improve both COPD related symptoms and lead to weight loss.

Top 10 lifestyle changes

1. Begin a simple exercise program. Start small. For example, walking for 5 minutes a day is a great start and something for you to build upon. Set weekly goals that identify the number of days a week and how many minutes each time you are going to exercise. During exercise, be cautious of overexertion signs such as increased shortness of breath, chest discomfort or tightness, rapid heart beat, lightheadness, nausea, or joint pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop exercising immediately. Make sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise.

2. Look into a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP). These programs are designed to provide patients with safe exercise recommendations. Most have exercise facilities that allow patients to exercise under the supervision of healthcare professionals. Studies have shown that PRPs are effective in improving shortness of breath and exercise capacity.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drink 48-64 ounces of non-caffeinated beverages daily. Adequate fluid intake helps thin mucus in the airways. This helps the body remove mucus through coughing.

salt
4. Decrease sodium intake. Excess salt consumption can lead to fluid retention causing difficulty breathing. To reduce salt, start by removing the salt shaker from your home. Do not add salt during cooking or at the table. Start reading food labels and purchase low-sodium products. Keep total daily sodium under 2300 mg. Avoid canned and highly processed foods.

5. Avoid overeating. When you overeat, the stomach will bloat and make breathing more difficult.

6. Avoid gas forming foods. Carbonated beverages and caffeinated beverages can increase gas formation. Foods such as beans, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, celery, dried fruits, peas, radishes, and parsnips can cause bloating and gas. Do not avoid high fiber foods, which are major gas producers, but spread them out throughout the day.

7. Eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids. Recent studies have indicated that diets high in polyunsaturated fats (primarily omega-3's) can improve COPD symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory response in the body which can lead to decreased lung inflammation. Good food sources include flaxseed, walnuts, salmon, soybeans, halibut, shrimp, tofu, snapper, scallops, and some fortified foods. Supplements are available over-the-counter.

8. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Focus on 3 small meals and 2-3 snacks daily. Small portions prevent overeating and make breathing easier.

9. Get a yearly flu shot. COPD patients should always make time to get a yearly flu shot. Due to chronic inflammation, individuals with COPD are at a higher risk of lung infections. If you get the flu, call the doctor immediately. COPD patients tend to have more severe flu symptoms and are more prone to hospitalizations.

antioxidant rich foods 10. Consume antioxidant rich foods. In the human body, antioxidants fight against disease-causing free radicals. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect which can improve lung function. Antioxidant compounds such as vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, and carotenoids, are found primarily in fruits and vegetables. Try to consume 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

Sources:

  • www.lungusa.org

Images:

  • http://www.pulm.org/Services.html
  • http://www.healthier-harvest.com/nutrajuice.htm