As reported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an approximated 12 million adults are currently diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it’s also expected that another 12 million could be living with the disease and not even know it. It’s also worth noting that COPD typically occurs in middle age, with smoking as the main risk factor. Consistent exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals also presents a high risk factor.

If you have been diagnosed with COPD, living healthier can make a difference in the severity of symptoms. As a matter of fact, eating a healthier diet can make those with COPD feel better, enhance vital energy needed for breathing, as well as fight chest infections.

Follow these tips for COPD and diet to help manage symptoms:

• Eat your breakfast. For those with COPD, breathing burns ten times more calories than it does for a person without COPD, so commencing your day with a healthy breakfast can give you the calories and nutrients you must have for the day.
• Consume more potassium. COPD patients on diuretics tend to have a need for more potassium. Try oranges, bananas, potatoes, and tomatoes to get the healthy potassium you need.
• Drink plenty of fluids, but hold the caffeine. Liquids help keep mucus in the breathing passages thin and less difficult to clear. But caffeine can conflict with some medicines and may trigger restlessness, so it’s best to stick to non-caffeinated liquids.
• Stay away from gas-inducing foods. Foods like beans, carbonated beverages, and fried foods that lead to gas and bloating may make it difficult to breathe. Try to avoid these kinds of foods to stave off COPD symptom flare-ups.
• Sodium can contribute to water retention, which makes it tougher to breathe, so it’s best to avoid foods that have greater than 300 milligrams of sodium per serving. Salt-free spices such as garlic, oregano, basil, curry, onion, parsley, rosemary and lemon juice are all good alternate possibilities.

Visiting Angels is skilled in working with COPD patients and their family caregivers to manage symptoms and verify that the home is safe and free from irritants. Our San Jose area home health care helps patients manage COPD through education, exercise, nutritional support, psychological support and coping skills. Call Visiting Angels today at 408-610-9996 or contact us online to learn more about managing COPD symptoms. Serving San Jose and the surrounding areas, we’re here to partner with you to improve quality of life for your senior loved one!