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What Should We Eat in COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventive respiratory disease, and eating right help you boost your energy when you or any of your loved one are diagnosed with it. A healthy diet helps prevent COPD and reduces the risk of its exaggeration. The food you eat affects your breathing and lungs. Your body utilises food as fuel to do all your daily activities. However, only some foods consist of all the nutrients your body requires. Therefore, it’s necessary to have the right mix of nutrients that help you to conserve energy and optimise your respiratory system. Taking foods that help with COPD attacks is an ideal way to subdue the chances of developing COPD symptoms. Just follow these healthy diet tips with medication and breathe healthily.
1. Increase Liquid Intake:
Liquids are essential for your body and an excellent way to keep your lungs functioning properly. Dry lungs are more prone to catch a respiratory infection. Start taking 8-10 glasses of water daily, and increase your liquid intake with soups, juices, and green tea to keep your lungs hydrated.
2. Switch to Fruits:
Fruits are your good friends in COPD. Apples, peaches, melons, and berries are rich in vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene and packed with antioxidants. So, switch to these fruits that help keep your lungs healthy and lower the infection.
3. Take Omega-3:
Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory nutrients that are protective against inflammatory diseases. Walnuts, apricots, fatty fish, flax seeds, chia seeds, kidney beans, etc., are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. So, healthy lungs also make room for these food items.
4. Fresh Vegetables:
Spinach, broccoli, tomato, bell peppers, carrots, garlic, and ginger have vitamins A, C, and E, with magnesium, zinc, and folic acid. They relieve congestion and improve blood circulation to the lungs.
5. Go for Berries:
Berries also contain vitamin C, protect your lungs from damage, and reduce the risk of developing other respiratory diseases. Blueberry, acai, grapes, strawberries, and cranberries are the most helpful in keeping your lungs healthy.
6. Opt for Dairy:
Consult the doctor, and if you find that dairy products are not making thick mucus, you can go for it. Skimmed milk, soya milk, oat milk, almond milk, cottage cheese, buttermilk, and soy are rich in calcium and Vitamin. COPD causes may not be easily known, but following a good diet for COPD religiously can give high-yielding results.
COPD Symptoms
You might not experience symptoms unless they are severe. It starts appearing when significant lung damage worsens over time if you don’t take precautions. A few signs and symptoms include:
- Breathlessness while being physically active
- Wheezing and tightness in the chest
- Chronic cough with mucus (sputum) that is either clear, white, yellow or greenish
- Increased frequency of respiratory infections
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swollen feet, legs or ankles
You may also experience exacerbations, in which your symptoms worsen and persist for days.
COPD Causes
Although there is no evidence of the causes of COPD, a few reasons make you vulnerable. The most common reasons include-
- Smoking
- Air Pollution
- Fumes and Dust
- Genetics
- Poor Dietary Habits
COPD Treatment
If you have COPD, the most important steps you can take to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life are:
- The most important part of treatment is to quit smoking and consumption of tobacco as soon as you are diagnosed with COPD.
- Avoid other air pollutants when at home or outside.
Your health specialist may also consider treating you with the following options-
- Medicine to treat symptoms of coughing or wheezing.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation is a personalised treatment that trains you to manage your symptoms. It helps you breathe better by conserving energy and guiding you with the best suitable food and exercise.
- Vaccines for flu and pneumonia help reduce lung infections that cause serious problems in people with COPD.
- In case of low blood oxygen, patients are usually given oxygen cylinders.
Summing It Up
A healthy diet cannot completely cure COPD but can help fight respiratory diseases. Eating healthy can make you feel better and reduce the burden on your lungs. As you know, the ongoing treatment of such chronic diseases can create a hole in your pocket, so eating healthily and preventing the infection is good. Additionally, go for comprehensive health insurance offered by Care Health Insurance that covers your ongoing treatment expenses and provides financial security. Thus, a healthy diet, active daily regime, and exclusive health insurance help you to live healthily.
>> Also Read: How Your Diet Affects your Health in Different Stages of Life?
Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.
