Introduction
COPD is a term that comprises diseases that are seen to affect the respiratory tract. Due to this infection, people frequently experience weight loss, low energy, dry mouth, or sometimes obese people can face difficulties in the treatment, for which they need to reduce weight. People experiencing COPD must include minerals, vitamins, fats, fibers, etc. in their diet. This food acts as a fuel for the body.
What Is COPD?
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a term used to denote diseases resulting in airflow blockage and breathing-related difficulties. These diseases are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD makes breathing difficult for many people across the globe who possess this disease. In many people, COPD is seen to occur but remains undiagnosed and is not being treated timely. There is no definitive cure for COPD, and its symptoms can be managed. COPD comprises the following conditions.
Chronic Bronchitis:
Chronic bronchitis causes irritation in the bronchial tubes; these tubes transport air to and from the lungs. As a result of this, the tubes become swell, and mucus begins accumulating alongside the lining of the lungs. This accumulation leads to the narrowing of the opening of the tube, making it hard to receive air into and out of the lungs. Fine, hair-like structures present on the inside of the bronchial tubes (cilia) eliminate mucus formed in the airways normally. However, the irritation because of due to chronic bronchitis or smoking leads to the destruction of the cilia. The destructed cilia are incapable of assisting in the clearance of mucus.
Emphysema:
Emphysema is the enlargement of the tiny air sacs (alveoli). These are present at the terminal end of the bronchial tubes at the bottom of the lungs. The structure of the lung is identical to an upside-down tree. The windpipe, or trachea, is like the trunk, the bronchi are branches, and the air sacs or alveoli are like the leaves. The air sacs have a vital function in the transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide into the blood. The damage occurred due to emphysema results in the destruction of the walls of the air sacs, making it difficult to obtain a full breath.
What Are the Symptoms of COPD?
The symptoms of COPD can be many. Some of them are
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Dyspnea or shortness of breath, particularly while performing an activity.
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Cough with thick, stringy mucus (phlegm), which might be clear or yellowish or normal cough.
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Mostly, chest infections are seen.
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Wheezing (a whistling, squeaky sound during breathing) is reported frequently.
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Chest heaviness.
How Does Food Relate to Breathing?
The conversion process of food into energy in the body is termed metabolism. In the process of metabolism, oxygen and food are converted into energy and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, which is exhaled, is a waste product. Breathing needs more energy for people living with COPD. The muscles might require ten times more calories than someone without COPD.
The foods that are consumed by the body possess nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Including a diet with less carbohydrates and more fat might help people breathe smoothly. When the body metabolizes carbohydrates, more carbon dioxide is produced for the amount of oxygen used. When the body breaks fat molecules, it produces minimal.
What Is the Role of Nutrition in COPD Management?
Diet has been recognized as a modifiable risk agent for the development and progression of chronic disease. Some of the evidence recently identified has also highly pointed to its role in obstructive lung diseases, including COPD. Unintentional loss of weight and disease-related malnutrition are frequently occurring issues in patients with COPD. Food and nutrition do not play a very vital role in the management of COPD. It does not cure COPD, but the right food can help one feel better, make the body stronger, and help in combating infections. Most importantly, changes in diet over the past few years, with a reduction in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and higher consumption of processed and refined foods, have been reported that contribute to the increased occurrence of chronic diseases like COPD, mainly in the developing countries.
Diet is an important factor that might modulate the result of extreme environmental exposures or genetic predisposition on the lung, but it can have direct (protective or harmful) effects on the biological processes involved in lung function, disease development, and outcomes. The impact exerted by early-life and some dietary choices on later-life health has been increasingly identified for respiratory diseases, thus providing a larger window of opportunity for disease prevention. Fluctuating nutritional status noted in advanced COPD patients, with undesired weight loss, muscle loss, low fat, and fat-free mass linked with the presence of emphysema, is a known independent determinant of COPD outcomes and offers targets for nutritional interventions.
Some of the important nutrients are
1. Vitamins and Minerals:
Most people have observed that taking a general-purpose multivitamin turned out helpful. Frequently, people with COPD are seen to take steroids. Long-term use of steroids can increase the need for calcium. People with COPD must include calcium supplements in their diet. That, too, includes vitamin D. Calcium carbonate or calcium citrate are excellent sources that contain calcium. Before adding any vitamins to the daily routine, one must discuss them with the doctor first.
2. Cereals, pieces of bread, potatoes, pasta, and rice provide valuable energy to our bodies. Milk, yogurt, and cheese products contain calcium, which is essential for healthy bones. This is especially important if one takes steroids as they increase bone loss. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts possess protein, which is crucial for building and maintaining muscle.
3. Fats, spreads, and oils are high in energy and provide vitamins, such as vitamin D, which one needs to absorb calcium.
Conclusion
COPD is a combination of diseases in which the respiratory function is hindered. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the maintenance of COPD. It cannot treat COPD, but it can assist in lowering its symptoms. It is observed that people who have COPD often have bad appetite and undergo weight loss. To combat such respiratory infections, one must eat a proper diet. To compensate for this weight loss, one must eat in small amounts but more frequently. One must consume an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables and add fats like butter, milk, or creams to their diet. COPD has several consequences on the health of individuals, but its symptoms can be reduced by consuming a good diet. One should avoid junk and refined foods.
