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Stop Smoking and Prevent Your Major Risk of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is characterized by air flow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the world. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal swelling of the lungs to harmful gases or particles. It is of two types

Chronic bronchitis, in which symptoms include recurrent excess mucus secretion in wind pipe with cough that occurs on most days for at least 3 months of the year.

 Emphysema, is abnormal permanent enlargement of air spaces, accompanied by destruction of walls of wind pipe. The main cause for this disease is exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, but other chronic inhalational exposures can also lead to COPD. It is mentioned in one of the study that the prevalence of COPD in western countries had been higher than those reported from Asian countries. The disease prevalence rate is slightly more in men than in women.

Prevention of the COPD

Cessation of Smoking

Cessation of smoking can help you to lessen the disease up to 80%. Nicotine gum, transdermal patch, inhaler, nasal spray aids in cessation of the smoking.

Avoiding inhalation of lung irritants like chemical fumes and noxious gases have been linked to the prevention of COPD. Wearing mask while two wheeler drive, and in places where there is probable of exposing to noxious gases can prevent you from developing disease.

Vaccination

Flu vaccination in COPD helps in reducing disease. Exacerbations of disease are reason for many deaths. Taking vaccinations helps in decreasing the exacerbations, commonly recommended vaccines are influenza and pneumococcal vaccine. The US centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) recommend that pneumococcal vaccination be administered to all patients of at least 65 years of age as well as to younger patients with chronic medical illness, including COPD.

Exercise:

In severe illness and old age, supervision of physiotherapist will be able to provide you with an exercise regime suitable for your specific condition. Exercise is needed for strengthening of lung muscles, breathing exercise should be important part of your regime. Walking is good, even if it is for 10 min with slow pace, will strengthen your body. Cycling is another thing which needed to be included in your exercise regimen, exercising your diaphragm strengthens breathing muscle. With inhaling slowly through your nose and exhaling slowly.

Eating strategies:

• Clear the airways of mucus before eating.
• Choose softer foods that are easier to chew swallow e.g.; mashed potato, soups, bananas.
• Limit food that can cause bloating e.g.; beans, onions, cauliflower and soft drinks.
• Drink plenty of fluids. 6 to 8 ounce glasses everyday to keep mucus thin and easier to cough up.
• Limit caffeine in any form like cola, chocolate etc. as it might interfere with your medications.
• Eat whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice every day.
• Eat more dark green vegetables and more oranges and carrots.
• Choose low fat or fat free milk and other milk products.