Core strength may not directly affect lung function, but these muscles that we use for everyday activities are very important. Follow guidelines for healthy eating, such as the heart healthy recommendations, says Khabbaza.
A recent study published in May in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society suggested that eating foods rich in fiber may play a role in improving lung health.
People with more severe COPD can be underweight, which can put them at a higher risk for exacerbations and mortality, according to a study published in July in the journal ERJ Open Research. Being overweight with COPD is risky for different reasons.
Diet and exercise are recommended to help with weight loss to reduce some of that external pressure around the lungs and chest wall. Using inhalers incorrectly is fairly common, says Khabbaza. Inhalers can be confusing because there are so many different kinds. Rest before and after exercise, and wait an hour and a half after meals to work out.
If you have COPD, there are steps you can take so that living with it more manageable. Managing it well will allow you to stay active and involved with family and friends.
Besides quitting smoking, taking prescribed medications and exercising, the following can also help:. Be aware of any symptoms. The first signs of COPD may include a hacking cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing when you breathe or tightness in your chest. Find four common myths about this condition, as well as tips to cope. It enables a large dose of medicine to be taken in one go. You'll usually be given a nebuliser device to use at home after being shown how to use it.
It is recommended for people whose symptoms have suddenly become worse at least 2 times over the past 12 months, and who are already using inhalers. Roflumilast comes as tablets and the medicine helps reduce inflammation inside the lungs and airways. If COPD causes a low level of oxygen in your blood, you may be advised to have oxygen at home through nasal tubes or a mask.
This can help stop the level of oxygen in your blood becoming dangerously low, although it's not a treatment for the main symptoms of COPD, such as breathlessness. The tubes from the machine are long, so you will be able to move around your home while you're connected. Portable oxygen tanks are available if you need to use oxygen away from home. Do not smoke when using oxygen. The increased level of oxygen is highly flammable and a lit cigarette could cause a fire or explosion.
Find out more about home oxygen therapy. Some people with COPD will benefit from ambulatory oxygen, which is oxygen you use when you walk or are active in other ways. If your blood oxygen levels are normal while you're resting but fall when you exercise, you may be able to have ambulatory oxygen therapy rather than long-term oxygen therapy.
If you're taken to hospital because of a bad flare-up, you may have a treatment called non-invasive ventilation NIV. This is where a portable machine connected to a mask that covers your nose or face is used to support your lungs and make breathing easier. Surgery is usually only suitable for a small number of people with severe COPD whose symptoms are not controlled with medicine. These are major operations done under general anaesthetic , where you're asleep, and involve significant risks.
If your doctors feel surgery is an option for you, speak to them about what the procedure involves and what the benefits and risks are. Page last reviewed: 20 September Next review due: 20 September Treatments include: stopping smoking — if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do inhalers and tablets — to help make breathing easier pulmonary rehabilitation — a specialised programme of exercise and education surgery or a lung transplant — although this is only an option for a very small number of people A doctor will discuss the various treatment options with you.
The main types include: Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers For most people with COPD, short-acting bronchodilator inhalers are the first treatment used. This is because each cigarette that you smoke contains tar and carbon monoxide and both are extremely damaging to our health and especially our lungs.
The good news is that by quitting smoking you can greatly reduce your risk of developing COPD. If you are reading this and already have the condition then it is not too late.
By quitting smoking you can steadily slow the progression of COPD, which could mean a greatly improved quality of life.
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