COPD Self Care Tips: Diet, Lifestyle Changes & Flare Management

Understanding COPD and Self Care

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe over time. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and chronic cough.

While there is no cure for COPD, with proper self care and lifestyle changes, many people can manage their symptoms and prevent flare ups that make breathing even more difficult. Understanding what COPD is, what causes flare ups, and learning healthy habits is key to successfully coping with life with COPD.

What Causes COPD Flare Ups?

A COPD flare up refers to a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms like cough, mucus production, fatigue, shortness of breath and wheezing. Flare ups often require adjustments to medications or treatment plans to help get symptoms back under control.

Some common causes of COPD flares include:

• Lung infections
• Air pollution exposure
• Weather changes
• Stress
• Some foods

7 Foods That Can Trigger COPD Flare Ups

Diet plays an important role for those living with COPD. Some foods and ingredients may worsen symptoms, while others can be beneficial. Here are 7 foods COPD patients generally want to avoid to prevent uncomfortable flares:

1. Dairy Products - Milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy can produce extra mucus and phlegm, leading to increased coughing, wheezing and chest congestion.
2. Fried Foods - Greasy, fried fare like french fries, donuts, chips and fried chicken tend to be high in saturated fat. This can trigger lung inflammation. The oil and salt may also cause bloating, which restricts breathing.
3. Caffeine - Coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks containing caffeine are diuretics that can dehydrate the airways. Skip them to avoid irritation.
4. Alcohol - Alcohol is another dehydrating diuretic. It also slows breathing rates, oxygen levels and inhibits lung function over time through frequent use.
5. Salt - Eating a high sodium diet causes fluid retention all over the body, including the lungs. This narrows airways, raising COPD flare risk.
6. Garlic, Onions and Spicy Foods - These flavorful cooking ingredients can worsen reflux symptoms like GERD, which frequently co-occurs with COPD. Reflux can burn and irritate airways.
7. Gas-producing Foods - Foods that may form gas like beans, broccoli, cauliflower and carbonation put pressure on the diaphragm, limiting breathing ability.

Creating a COPD-Friendly Diet

While some adjustment is necessary, eating well with COPD is definitely possible. Observing reactions to certain foods can help COPD patients determine which items they may need to consume less frequently or avoid.

Here are some characteristics of a lung-healthy diet for COPD:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains
• Contains plenty of antioxidants from produce to combat inflammation
• Adequately hydrates with water and other non-caffeinated beverages
• Limits sodium, dairy, fried fare, gas-forming and reflux-triggering items
• Refrains from overeating to prevent abdominal bloating

Nutrients That Can Benefit COPD Symptoms

Making sure to include these helpful nutrients can ease COPD symptoms over time:

• Omega-3 fatty acids - Found in fish, walnuts, flax and chia seeds, these healthy fats reduce airway inflammation to aid breathing.
• Antioxidants - Fruits and veggies packed with vitamins A, C and E neutralize cell damage and help relax airways.
• Magnesium - This mineral relaxes bronchial muscle spasms that restrict airflow. Get it from leafy greens, nuts and whole grains.
• Fiber - Soluble fiber in oats, beans, nuts, berries and veggies can reduce chronic lung inflammation.

Other Key Aspects of COPD Self Care

While a COPD-friendly diet is important, effectively managing this progressive lung disease involves more comprehensive self care strategies including:

Taking Medications as Prescribed

The main medication types used for COPD treatment include:

• Bronchodilators to relax airway muscles
• Inhaled steroids to reduce swelling and mucus
• Antibiotics during infections
• Combo inhalers containing steroids and bronchodilators

Always adhere to medication instructions provided by your doctor and speak to them about any side effects.

Quitting Smoking

Since smoking cigarettes is the number one risk factor for COPD, quitting can dramatically slow lung function decline. Speak to your doctor about aids that can ease withdrawal symptoms and up your chances of successfully kicking the habit for good.

Avoiding Air Pollution and Chemical Irritants

Steer clear of airborne substances that can irritate COPD lungs like pollution, strong sprays and chemicals whenever possible. Wearing an N95 respirator mask outdoors on high pollution days can also help.

Exercising Regularly

While activity often becomes difficult with COPD-related breathing issues, regular exercise remains important to prevent weakness and to keep lungs and respiratory muscles stretched and active. Low-impact activities like walking, water workouts or Tai Chi are great options.

Practicing Good Hygiene

Frequent handwashing, flu shots, covering coughs and avoiding those who are sick are all key for lowering risk of catching colds, flu and other dangerous respiratory infections.

Managing Stress

Anxiety and high stress affects hormone levels in ways that inflame COPD symptoms. Yoga, mindfulness meditation, counseling and deep breathing techniques can all help calm the mind and body to prevent symptom flares.

Making self care through lifestyle adjustments a top priority is crucial for those managing progressive COPD each day. Working closely with your care team creates the best plan for keeping symptoms stable over the long run.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.