Weekly report 29th August -Home Remedies for COPD

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Home Remedies for COPD

                

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious long-term condition. Though no treatment can undo the damage that COPD does to your lungs, symptoms can be managed. Control your discomfort, reduce your risk of complications, and improve your quality of life by taking some simple steps at home.

Quit Smoking

About 90 percent of people with COPD get the disease from smoking. Quitting is the most important lifestyle change a smoker can make to ease COPD symptoms. For example, smokers with COPD lose lung tissue at a much faster rate than nonsmokers. When you quit smoking, you can slow the rate of loss. There are many resources to help you quit, including smoking cessation programs and support groups. Ask your doctor for a list of resources to help you kick the habit.

Stay Active

Staying physically active is the second most important thing you can do at home to help manage symptoms of COPD. It may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you have a breathing condition, but according to some experts’s experience, regular exercise can actually strengthen your respiratory muscles, improve your breathing and your overall strength and endurance. Any activity that gets you moving can be helpful. Try walking, gardening, golfing, or even shopping. 

Eat Right

Eating healthy foods and maintaining a proper weight can significantly help with breathing. Some people with COPD have trouble maintaining a normal weight. You may be underweight because difficulty breathing will cause you to burn more calories than the average person does. Or you may be overweight because of a nutritional imbalance or lack of exercise. A special diet isn’t necessary for people with COPD. However, Doctors always recommend eating a healthy variety of foods, limiting your salt intake, and eating smaller meals more frequently, which can help you to maintain proper weight.

Control Breathing

Certain breathing positions and relaxation techniques can help you breathe more efficiently throughout the day. According to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing may increase your blood oxygen levels and help reduce shortness of breath. Ask your doctor or a respiratory therapist how to practice these techniques efficiently. We also recommend drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier to keep your airways as clear of mucus.

Develop Good Medication-Taking Habits

While your doctor is the one who decides which medications you should take, your actions at home can ensure that your treatments are as effective as possible. Before you leave your doctor’s office, be sure that you understand why you’re taking the COPD medications you’ve been prescribed. Ask your doctor to explain anything that’s unclear about how to take your medications. If you use inhalers to help you breathe better, be sure to refill them before they run out rather than waiting until they’re empty. If a certain medicine is giving you problems, tell your doctor. Don’t stop taking any medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

Protect Yourself

When you have COPD, it’s important to avoid situations that can aggravate your symptoms. Cold air can trigger bronchospasm, a sudden constriction in the muscles of airway walls that leads to shortness of breath. Avoid going out in the cold if possible, or put on a cold-air face mask before leaving the house. Respiratory infections can cause COPD symptoms to worsen, so stay away from crowds if possible. If you must be in a crowded area, We recommend wearing a surgical mask .

Take Care of Emotions

The changes in your life caused by COPD and its symptoms may cause you to experience some difficult emotions. Grief, anger, anxiety, and depression are all normal responses to chronic illness. However, it’s still important to manage them. We recommend keeping up with activities that you enjoy, staying involved with others, and going outside for frequent walks to help you deal with emotional difficulties. If you have trouble coping on your own, your doctor may recommend professional counseling or another form of treatment.

Reduce Stress

Stress can exacerbate COPD symptoms like shortness of breath, so it’s important to manage the level of stress in your life. You cannot avoid all stress, but you can work on reducing the stressors you’re exposed to and make an effort to practice being more calm and relaxed. AARC recommends taking some time each day to unwind, both physically and mentally. You can relax by napping, listening to soothing music, reading quietly, or doing something that you find enjoyable and soothing.

                                                           ---Written by Robin Madell

   Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD, MBA

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