COPD - Exercise,

diet and nutrition

COPD exercise program
COPD exercise program
Exercise and COPD: A Good Combination

If you have COPD and experience difficulties when breathing, you may think that exercise is impossible. Perhaps you are worried it will make you feel short of breath. However, regular exercise can go a long way in helping you manage your COPD symptoms. It conditions the muscles, heart and blood vessels. Meaning less oxygen is required to complete daily activities and the burden on the lungs is reduced. A good starting point for any exercise is to speak with your physician. It will also help to learn how to coordinate your breathing with your movements. This not only helps to reduce shortness of breath but also means that you use less energy and can ultimately be more active¹.

Pursed-lip breathing, a COPD breathing exercise, involves keeping the lungs almost closed when breathing out, rather like when you are blowing out a candle or whistling. By increasing the pressure needed for breathing out, the airways are forced to stay open a little longer and more air enters your lungs. Pursed-lip breathing can be used with any activity that makes you feel short of breath. Breathing from the diaphragm (the main muscle used for breathing) or abdominal breathing as it is also known, is also helpful in matching breathing with movement and reducing feelings of breathlessness¹.

Before you start

Before starting a COPD exercise program, talk to your doctor as they need to determine how much exercise you can do safely. You may be asked to do an exercise tolerance test, usually using a treadmill or stationary bike. It monitors your heart function and oxygen consumption. Depending on the results, you may be given an ‘exercise prescription’. This will tell you how hard, how long and how often you should exercise.

If during exercising you feel very short of breath, your doctor may suggest that you use oxygen to help make your physical activity more manageable¹.

What exercise should you be doing?
One of the simplest, most-effective forms of COPD exercise is walking, which can be done outdoors (when the air quality is good) or indoors. Another great form of exercise is swimming. Exercising on a regular basis provides the most benefit but even three times a week will make a difference².

It is important to know your limits - avoid exercising during flare-ups and always stop if you feel exhausted or uncomfortable.

If you are not sure what type of exercise is right for you or how much of it you should do, consult your physician. They might recommend attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program. There, a team of doctors, nurses and specialists can help you to develop a fitness plan that is tailored to your needs and abilities, as well as provide breathing strategies, energy-conserving techniques and other types of education².

Record your success
Keeping a record of how and when you exercise, and for how long and how hard, can help monitor your improvement and keep you motivated. Setting targets, such as a certain distance to walk or perhaps adding in an extra session, and giving yourself a small reward when you achieve them, can also be helpful. If you would rather not exercise alone, you may be able to join a group organized by your local hospital or recreation centre.

As you begin to get fitter you should notice the following benefits:

You will have improved use of oxygen

You will be less short of breath

You will be less tired

You will be able to do more¹

How else can we help you today?

How can I manage my COPD?

Understanding disease progression

Ready for help?

Create an action plan

Find out more about pulmonary rehab

Travel/vacation support information

Living with COPD (daily tips and nutrition)

I've just been diagnosed with COPD

I'm caring for someone with COPD

COPD FAQs

Patient advice and stories

References

1. COPD Foundation. Slim Skinny Reference Guide.
Exercising for Someone with COPD.

2. Healthline. Exercise with COPD.
http://www.healthline.com/health/copd/exercise
Accessed on 4 August 2015.

For informational purposes only, not to replace physician's directions.
Diet for COPD patients
Diet for COPD patients
Maintaining a healthy diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is important for everyone but it is especially important if you have COPD. Not only can a poor diet make your symptoms worse but it can also affect your ability to exercise. Your diet needs to provide the extra energy needed to breathe, as this is more difficult when you have COPD, and to help prevent lung infections¹. If your body is well-nourished, it is more able to handle infections and responds better to treatment¹⁻³.

Finding a diet that works for COPD sufferers
A healthy diet is generally regarded as one that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Meats should be lean, primarily chicken and turkey, and there should be plenty of fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Foods should also be low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars⁴.

Planning a COPD patient diet
If you need help planning a COPD patient friendly diet, you can see a local dietitian or pulmonary rehab specialist for advice. Be sure to tell them what foods you like to eat and those that you don’t. They may also want to know about your daily schedule, including when you like to exercise, as well as any other health problems or special dietary needs you may have³.

Maintaining a healthy weight
It is important to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can make your COPD symptoms worse and increase the amount of oxygen your body needs to function effectively. Carrying extra pounds can also increase your risk of developing other medical problems and affect your ability to exercise. However, unplanned weight loss can also be a problem, as it can weaken the muscles you use to breathe¹∙².

It is important to weigh yourself regularly and go to your doctor if you notice any weight loss or gain, especially if you are following a recommended diet. If you need to lose weight, you should choose low-fat sources of protein such as lean meats and low-fat dairy products. If you need to gain weight, you can focus on protein with a higher fat content, such as whole milk, cheese and yogurt³.

Eating well to feel well
Cooking and eating can be tiring when you have COPD but there are certain things that you can do to make sure you eat well and maintain a healthy diet²∙³:

Choose foods that are easy to cook

Have a short rest just before eating

Eat your biggest meals when you are least tired. This may mean eating your main meal earlier in the day

Avoid foods that cause bloating

Make foods easier to chew by blending

Try to eat four to six small meals a day

Drinking liquids with meals may make you feel too full to eat. If this happens, try and drink liquids an hour after your meal

Keep your favorite foods handy throughout the day, as a snack²∙³

How else can we help you today?

How can I manage my COPD?

Understanding disease progression

Ready for help?

Create an action plan

Find out more about pulmonary rehab

Travel/vacation support information

Living with COPD (daily tips and nutrition)

I've just been diagnosed with COPD

I'm caring for someone with COPD

COPD FAQs

Patient advice and stories

References

COPD Foundation. Slim Skinny Reference Guide.
Nutrition Tips for Someone with COPD.

European Lung Foundation. Living well with COPD.
http://www.europeanlung.org/assets/files/en/publications/living-well-with-copd-en.pdf
Accessed on 26th May 2015.

American Lung Association. Nutrition.
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition.html.
Accessed 30 June 2015.

US Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines.
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/dietary-guidelines.
Accessed on 30 June 2015.

For informational purposes only, not to replace physician's directions.
Nutrition for COPD patients
Nutrition for COPD patients
Your body in balance

The right mix of nutrients in your diet can help you breathe easier, a fact that most people with COPD are surprised to hear. Drinking plenty of fluids thins out the mucus in your lungs, and eating foods low in carbohydrates can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide your lungs need to exhale. Make sure that your diet is low in salt but contains plenty of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. This will also help you to breathe more easily and stay healthy¹∙².

Drinking plenty of fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids helps to thin and clear out lung secretions, especially if you have been prescribed oxygen therapy. Ideally you should drink eight to 12 cups of caffeine-free liquids per day. Water is ideal as it can help to prevent constipation. Milk can also be helpful as it provides many of the essential nutrients needed. It may be useful to fill a bottle or pitcher with the required amount of water for the day and then refill your glass at intervals to help track how much you’ve drunk and avoid drinking too quickly.¹∙²

Fighting seasonal allergies
Seasonal allergy flare-ups can upset the normal routine of cells located in the nasal passages and throat and cause difficulties breathing. Although decongestants and antihistamines are popular treatments for seasonal allergies certain foods have also been found to have antihistamine properties, helping you breathe and sleep better. Citrus fruits, apples, sweet potatoes, broccoli, red onions, green tea and many dark purple/red foods are good for managing allergies.³

Managing your salt intake
Too much salt in your diet can cause you to retain fluids as well as increase your blood pressure and make you more breathless¹∙².

Your doctor may suggest that you try and cut down on how much salt you eat. You can achieve this in a number of simple ways:

Avoid adding salt when preparing or serving food at the table

Check the labels and ingredients on the foods you buy and try to avoid those containing salt

Check the sodium content on the labels and try to avoid those containing more than 140mg sodium per serving

Look for foods labeled low sodium as these can be a useful alternative¹∙².

Vitamins and minerals
Although maintaining a good level of vitamins and minerals is essential, if you have COPD there are certain minerals that are especially important and you should ask your doctor or diet expert for advice about the following:

Calcium helps lung function. When you have COPD, you may take corticosteroids, which can reduce your calcium levels and make you more prone to osteoporosis.

Magnesium helps muscles to work effectively. Together with calcium, magnesium helps control the activity of the bronchial tubes.

Phosphorus is needed for the building and repairing of tissues. If you have COPD, you may be at risk of not having enough phosphorus in your diet.

Potassium is very important for the heart muscle. Loss of potassium can be triggered by diuretics, which you may be taking for your COPD¹∙².

Many people find taking a general-purpose multivitamin helpful. However, you should always discuss this with your doctor first¹∙².

How else can we help you today?

How can I manage my COPD?

Understanding disease progression

Ready for help?

Create an action plan

Find out more about pulmonary rehab

Travel/vacation support information

Living with COPD (daily tips and nutrition)

I've just been diagnosed with COPD

I'm caring for someone with COPD

COPD FAQs

Patient advice and stories

References

American Lung Association. Nutrition.
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/ copd/living-with-copd/nutrition.html.
Accessed 30 June 2015.

COPD Foundation. Slim Skinny Reference Guide. Nutrition Tips for Someone with COPD.

Healthline. Seasonal Allergies and COPD: Tips to Avoid Complications. http://www.healthline.com/health/copd/seasonal-allergies-tips-avoid-complications Accessed 25th July 2015.

For informational purposes only, not to replace physician's directions.

Search terms

COPD - Exercise, diet and nutrition

Exercise and COPD: A Good Combination

How else can we help you today?

References

Maintaining a healthy diet

How else can we help you today?

References

Your body in balance

How else can we help you today?

References

COPD - Exercise,

diet and nutrition