Lung disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is called the forgotten killer, even though it is currently the fifth leading cause of death in the UK and globally. In 2005, it killed more women than breast cancer. And it's the only common cause of death still increasing in prevalence - by 2020 it's expected to be the third leading cause of death and stroke.
COPD is a collection of chronic lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that blocks the airways and restricts oxygen flow throughout your body. The condition has long been linked with cigarette smoking, and smoking remains its top cause. But researchers now know that some cases of COPD are also the result of exposure to dust, fumes and secondhand smoke; decades of living with asthma; poor diet; and even a wily bacteria that shifts just enough to outwit continually the antibiotics used to vanquish it.
Researchers also think COPD is more than just a disease of the lungs. In an editorial in the medical Journal The Lancet, doctors from the Netherlands and Italy suggested that, in many people, COPD is part of a cluster of conditions, all related to chronic inflammation in the body. This systematic inflammation in the body. This systematic inflammation is probably responsible for the high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure and even cancer that tend to exist along with cOPD. They recommend that people who tick at least three of the following be diagnosed with what they call Chronic Systematic Inflammation Syndrome, not just a single disease:
Who wants to lose their ability to breate? As with so many other serious health conditions, the answer to that question is determined by how you chose to live each day. Lead a healthy, energised life, and the chances of COPD ever becoming an issue for you will be remote.
Stop smoking Cigarette are by far the number one cause of COPD. There are so many arguments for quitting, and this is yet another big one. If you continue to smoke, and want to stop, turn to page Repairing the past for guidance.
Follow a Mediterranean diet This healthy approach to eating, with its emphasis on fruits, vegetables healthy oils, fish and whole grains, can reduce your risk of COPD by 25 percent. In contrast, following a typical Western diet high in refined grains, cured and red meats, desserts and chips increases the risk by 31 percent. Meanwhile, other studies find that diets high in starches and sodium also significantly increase the risk of a person developing COPD. The mediterranean diet's anti-inflammatory effects may be one reason for its impact on COPD risk.
Live a fit life Exercise, particularly aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling or swimming, helps your lungs to become more efficient at providing your body with the oxygen it needs. Not only do your heart and lungs benefit from the more robust breathing, but so do all the muscles and connective tissues in and around your lungs. If you get winded easily, it's time to take daily walks and build up your aerobic fitness.
Become a healthy breather Too many people take lots of small breaths as they go about their business. Rapid breathing also becomes the norm in stressful times. But for better lung health - and overall health, for that matter - learn to breath more deeply and less frequently, mainly using your diaphragm. Inhale through your nose slowly and fully; most movement should come from your abdomen. If only your chest moves, your breathing is too shallow. Exhaling should take twice as long as inhaling, and the more you clear your lungs out with strong exhalations, the healthier and fuller your inhalations will be. While there's no agreed standard, try to reduce the number of breaths you take in a minute to just six. Deep breathing not only improves lung function but can also lower blood pressure and provid relaxation, even in stressful times.
The wrinkle factor
If you smoke and are still on the fence about quitting, look at yourself in the mirror. Is your face heavily lined with wrinkles? If yes, then you really need to quit. A study by researchers at the Royal Devon and Exeter National Health Service Foundation Trust found that middle-aged smokers with heavily lined faces were five times more likely to have COPD than smokers with fewer wrinkles. They were also three times as likely to have more severe emphysema than those with less-lined faces.
If you still insist on smoking, make sure that you're getting as much exercise as possible. A study by researchers in Barcelona, Spain, evaluated the chances that 928 smokers would develop COPD over 11 years; those who got moderate to high levels of physical activity were 21 percent less likely to develop the lung disease than the couch-potato smokers.
Natural remedies for COPD
If you have COPD, the chances are that your doctor has prescribed various medications and programmes to help you to cope. But there are simple lifestyle improvements you can also make to battle back against the disease.
Ventilate your indoor spaces High levels of indoor air pollution caused by smoking, indoor fires and indoor toxins can significantly exacerbate COPD symptoms, say researchers from Aberdeen. The scientists measured concentrations of indoor air pollutants in the homes of 148 people with COPD, and found that levels were up to four times higher than experts say is acceptable. The higher the levels of indoor air pollution, the worse the individual's COPD. As expected, the highest pollution levels were found in homes in which someone smoked.
Most people don't breathe healthy. Take longer, deeper breaths and exhale slowly. Shallow, rapid breathing does not serve your health nearly as well
Get at least 20 minutes a day of moderately intense exercise It could be riding a stationary bicycle, briskly walking or swimming. Not only will this improve your breathing capabilities but, chances are, you'll feel mentally sharper afterwards. That's what researchers found when they evaluated the effects of just one session of exercise on 58 adults, half with COPD and half healthy. The COPD group was able to process and retain information better than before they exercised, while the healthy subjects didn't show any improvement. The improvement in the cOPD group was probably due to the fact that the exercise increased their lung capacity; a 20 minute exercise session wasn't goting to affect that them that
much. A follow-up study in which participants were tracked for a year found that those who continued exercising maintained their cognitive gains, while those who didn't lost physical, cognitive and psychological functioning.
Pop some fish oil Two grams a day should do it. Take half in the morning and half in the evening and half in the evening. When japanese researchers had 64 people with COPD supplement their diets with about 400 calories a day of an omega-3 fatty acids for two years, they found numerous indicators of improved lung function in the omega-3 group, but no change in the placebo group. They also found much lower levels of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines in the omega-3 group. Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatories; their ability to quell the inflammation of COPD probably prevented further lung damage during the study.
Mind over breath
Shortness of breath, or dyspnoea, is one of the most debhabilitating and frightening symptoms of COPD. People describe it as a sensation of chest tightness, suffocation, not getting enough air and smothering. The fear of dyspnoea leads many with COPD to cut their activities and do as little as possible, one of the worst things they can do. If you feel that horrible sensation of not being able to breathe, don't panic. That only makes the feeling worse. Instead, slowly close your eyes and focus on your breathing. The envision a calming, peaceful place that makes you happy. Don't just see it in your mind, however; try to engage all your senses. For instance, if you picture the ocean, let yourself hear the waves, taste the salt, feel the grittiness of the sand. This is guided imagery relaxation, and numerous studies find it can help people with COPD to reduce the number and severity of episodes of breathlessness. One way in which it does this is by stimulaitng your body to release natural brain chemicals called endorphins. These activate part of your nervous system to relax your body and reduce your blood pressure, respiration and heart rate.
Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight puts more pressure on your heart and lungs, increasing breathlessness. It also makes it harder to exercise. But being underweight - a common problem as COPD progresses and eating a full meal becomes more difficult - is linked to an increased risk of death. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 25. If you're having trouble maintaining your weight:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is called the forgotten killer, even though it is currently the fifth leading cause of death in the UK and globally. In 2005, it killed more women than breast cancer. And it's the only common cause of death still increasing in prevalence - by 2020 it's expected to be the third leading cause of death and stroke.
COPD is a collection of chronic lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that blocks the airways and restricts oxygen flow throughout your body. The condition has long been linked with cigarette smoking, and smoking remains its top cause. But researchers now know that some cases of COPD are also the result of exposure to dust, fumes and secondhand smoke; decades of living with asthma; poor diet; and even a wily bacteria that shifts just enough to outwit continually the antibiotics used to vanquish it.
Researchers also think COPD is more than just a disease of the lungs. In an editorial in the medical Journal The Lancet, doctors from the Netherlands and Italy suggested that, in many people, COPD is part of a cluster of conditions, all related to chronic inflammation in the body. This systematic inflammation in the body. This systematic inflammation is probably responsible for the high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure and even cancer that tend to exist along with cOPD. They recommend that people who tick at least three of the following be diagnosed with what they call Chronic Systematic Inflammation Syndrome, not just a single disease:
- Smoking for more than ten pack-years (the equivalent of smoking one pack a day for ten years; or two packs a day for five years)
- Symptoms and abnormal lung function of COPD
- Chronic heart failure
- Metabolic syndrome
- Increased levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker, in the bloodstream.
Other evidence that COPD is often part of a broader syndrome comes from several British studies showing that people with the disease develop arterial stiffness, or atherosclerosis, far earlier than those without COPD. Researchers also found high levels of inflammatory chemicals in the arteries of people with COPD. All of these add up to one thing: COPD, whether on its own or as part of a cluster of conditions, is scary stuff.
The best ways to prevent COPD
The best ways to prevent COPD
Who wants to lose their ability to breate? As with so many other serious health conditions, the answer to that question is determined by how you chose to live each day. Lead a healthy, energised life, and the chances of COPD ever becoming an issue for you will be remote.
Stop smoking Cigarette are by far the number one cause of COPD. There are so many arguments for quitting, and this is yet another big one. If you continue to smoke, and want to stop, turn to page Repairing the past for guidance.
Follow a Mediterranean diet This healthy approach to eating, with its emphasis on fruits, vegetables healthy oils, fish and whole grains, can reduce your risk of COPD by 25 percent. In contrast, following a typical Western diet high in refined grains, cured and red meats, desserts and chips increases the risk by 31 percent. Meanwhile, other studies find that diets high in starches and sodium also significantly increase the risk of a person developing COPD. The mediterranean diet's anti-inflammatory effects may be one reason for its impact on COPD risk.
Live a fit life Exercise, particularly aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling or swimming, helps your lungs to become more efficient at providing your body with the oxygen it needs. Not only do your heart and lungs benefit from the more robust breathing, but so do all the muscles and connective tissues in and around your lungs. If you get winded easily, it's time to take daily walks and build up your aerobic fitness.
Become a healthy breather Too many people take lots of small breaths as they go about their business. Rapid breathing also becomes the norm in stressful times. But for better lung health - and overall health, for that matter - learn to breath more deeply and less frequently, mainly using your diaphragm. Inhale through your nose slowly and fully; most movement should come from your abdomen. If only your chest moves, your breathing is too shallow. Exhaling should take twice as long as inhaling, and the more you clear your lungs out with strong exhalations, the healthier and fuller your inhalations will be. While there's no agreed standard, try to reduce the number of breaths you take in a minute to just six. Deep breathing not only improves lung function but can also lower blood pressure and provid relaxation, even in stressful times.
The wrinkle factor
If you smoke and are still on the fence about quitting, look at yourself in the mirror. Is your face heavily lined with wrinkles? If yes, then you really need to quit. A study by researchers at the Royal Devon and Exeter National Health Service Foundation Trust found that middle-aged smokers with heavily lined faces were five times more likely to have COPD than smokers with fewer wrinkles. They were also three times as likely to have more severe emphysema than those with less-lined faces.
If you still insist on smoking, make sure that you're getting as much exercise as possible. A study by researchers in Barcelona, Spain, evaluated the chances that 928 smokers would develop COPD over 11 years; those who got moderate to high levels of physical activity were 21 percent less likely to develop the lung disease than the couch-potato smokers.
Natural remedies for COPD
If you have COPD, the chances are that your doctor has prescribed various medications and programmes to help you to cope. But there are simple lifestyle improvements you can also make to battle back against the disease.
Ventilate your indoor spaces High levels of indoor air pollution caused by smoking, indoor fires and indoor toxins can significantly exacerbate COPD symptoms, say researchers from Aberdeen. The scientists measured concentrations of indoor air pollutants in the homes of 148 people with COPD, and found that levels were up to four times higher than experts say is acceptable. The higher the levels of indoor air pollution, the worse the individual's COPD. As expected, the highest pollution levels were found in homes in which someone smoked.
Most people don't breathe healthy. Take longer, deeper breaths and exhale slowly. Shallow, rapid breathing does not serve your health nearly as well
Get at least 20 minutes a day of moderately intense exercise It could be riding a stationary bicycle, briskly walking or swimming. Not only will this improve your breathing capabilities but, chances are, you'll feel mentally sharper afterwards. That's what researchers found when they evaluated the effects of just one session of exercise on 58 adults, half with COPD and half healthy. The COPD group was able to process and retain information better than before they exercised, while the healthy subjects didn't show any improvement. The improvement in the cOPD group was probably due to the fact that the exercise increased their lung capacity; a 20 minute exercise session wasn't goting to affect that them that
much. A follow-up study in which participants were tracked for a year found that those who continued exercising maintained their cognitive gains, while those who didn't lost physical, cognitive and psychological functioning.
Pop some fish oil Two grams a day should do it. Take half in the morning and half in the evening and half in the evening. When japanese researchers had 64 people with COPD supplement their diets with about 400 calories a day of an omega-3 fatty acids for two years, they found numerous indicators of improved lung function in the omega-3 group, but no change in the placebo group. They also found much lower levels of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines in the omega-3 group. Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatories; their ability to quell the inflammation of COPD probably prevented further lung damage during the study.
Mind over breath
Shortness of breath, or dyspnoea, is one of the most debhabilitating and frightening symptoms of COPD. People describe it as a sensation of chest tightness, suffocation, not getting enough air and smothering. The fear of dyspnoea leads many with COPD to cut their activities and do as little as possible, one of the worst things they can do. If you feel that horrible sensation of not being able to breathe, don't panic. That only makes the feeling worse. Instead, slowly close your eyes and focus on your breathing. The envision a calming, peaceful place that makes you happy. Don't just see it in your mind, however; try to engage all your senses. For instance, if you picture the ocean, let yourself hear the waves, taste the salt, feel the grittiness of the sand. This is guided imagery relaxation, and numerous studies find it can help people with COPD to reduce the number and severity of episodes of breathlessness. One way in which it does this is by stimulaitng your body to release natural brain chemicals called endorphins. These activate part of your nervous system to relax your body and reduce your blood pressure, respiration and heart rate.
Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight puts more pressure on your heart and lungs, increasing breathlessness. It also makes it harder to exercise. But being underweight - a common problem as COPD progresses and eating a full meal becomes more difficult - is linked to an increased risk of death. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 25. If you're having trouble maintaining your weight:
- Talk things through with your GP and ask for nutritional advice.
- Ask about calorie supplements that can help you to maintain weight
- Eat several small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones
- Increase your calories in each meal. For instance, if you eat yoghurt, make sure it's the full-fat variety.
No comments:
Post a Comment