According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), upwards of 15 million adults are now living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and still another 12 million could be living with the disease and not even know it. COPD usually strikes in middle age, and smoking is the top risk factor. Continual exposure to chemicals and dust can also increase risk. Yet following a healthy diet for COPD is one highly effective way to improve quality of health.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with COPD, determining to make healthy lifestyle choices can make a difference in the seriousness of symptoms. Not only that, but following a healthier diet for those with COPD can help them feel better, improve the strength needed for breathing, and better fight off chest infections.
Follow the tips below from the care team at Dakota Home Care, leading provider of elder care in Bismarck, ND as well as Mandan and Fargo, to manage COPD symptoms:
- Always eat breakfast. For an individual with COPD, breathing burns as many as 10 times more calories than it does in those without COPD, so beginning the day with a nutritious breakfast can furnish the nutrients and calories necessary for the day.
- Get plenty of potassium. People with COPD who take diuretics need extra potassium. Ideal options include oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, and bananas.
- Drink an abundance of liquids (without caffeine). Liquids help with thinning mucus in the air passageways; but beverages with caffeine can conflict with some medications and cause restlessness, so it’s best to skip caffeine.
- Steer clear of gas-inducing foods. Foods like beans, fried foods, and carbonated drinks that create gas and bloating can make breathing more difficult for someone with COPD. Avoid these kinds of foods to prevent symptom flare-ups.
- Lower intake of sodium. Sodium can trigger water retention, making it more difficult to breathe, so limit foods that contain more than 300 milligrams of sodium per serving. Sodium-free spices like parsley, oregano, garlic, basil, curry, onion, rosemary, and lemon juice are all flavorful alternatives.
Dakota Home Care, provider of the most trusted elder care in Bismarck, ND as well as Mandan and Fargo, is experienced in working with COPD patients and their family members, and can help patients manage COPD symptoms, and help ensure the home is safe and free from irritants. Contact us today at (877) 691-0015 to learn more about how we can help.