COPD

Malnutrition in COPD can lead to problems, such as a reduction in your muscle mass.

COPD

Malnutrition in COPD can lead to problems, such as a reduction in your muscle mass.

What is COPD?

COPD is an abbreviation of the English term ‘Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease’. This is a collective name for the lung diseases chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis causes severe inflammation and irritation in the airways and lungs. This in turn leads to mucus buildup. This mucus blocks your airways, making it difficult to breathe properly. Pulmonary emphysema causes more and more alveoli to break. This prevents your lungs from properly absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

Common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, mucus formation and reduced fitness. In addition, there is a greater risk of lung infections. In the Netherlands, 600,000 people have COPD.

Smoking is the cause of COPD in most cases. But hereditary properties and air pollution also seem to play a role.

COPD can gradually get worse. The course of the disease varies from person to person. Many people with COPD also have exacerbations, which are lung attacks in which the patient’s condition worsens within one or a few days.

COPD treatment

The treatment of COPD focuses on relieving symptoms, such as coughing and breathing problems, and preventing respiratory infections. Medications used for COPD include anti-inflammatories, bronchodilators and mucus thinners. Administration of extra oxygen, ventilation or nebulization can also relieve complaints. Not everyone with COPD needs medication.

A healthy lifestyle has a major influence on the course of the disease. The most important factors are:

  • Quit smoking
  • Sufficient exercise
  • Following a healthy diet with sufficient protein
  • Reaching a healthy weight (with COPD you have a healthy weight if you have a Body Mass Index of 21 to 30 kg/m2)

Healthy nutrition for COPD

The risk of malnutrition and underweight is greater if you have COPD. Your body uses extra energy because breathing takes more effort and it fights the inflammation in your lungs. In addition, the symptoms of COPD, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, can make it difficult to eat enough. Malnutrition in COPD can lead to health problems, such as a reduction in muscle mass. Your condition and lung function may then deteriorate.

When you eat what your body needs, you may experience fewer complaints. Daily activities are then less tiring. Healthy eating is therefore very important for COPD. A nutrient that you need in extra amounts is protein. This is mainly found in meat (products), chicken, fish, dairy, eggs, legumes and nuts.

People with COPD sometimes have brittle bones, caused by medication or reduced physical activity. Getting enough vitamin D and calcium can help keep your bones healthy. Therefore, try to eat enough calcium-rich foods, such as dairy, green leafy vegetables, nuts and legumes. Vitamin D is produced when exposed to sunlight. It is also found in oily fish.

Do you struggle to eat well or worry about your weight? Your doctor or dietitian can possibly recommend a diet for medical use.

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