Breathing issues, coughing, wheezing, and the production of mucus are all signs of the inflammatory lung condition known as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most frequent pulmonary conditions that makeup COPD in patients.
Although COPD cannot be cured, it can be treated and controlled. A person with COPD should avoid several foods to lessen symptoms and prevent exposure to smoke and other air pollutants. Let’s look at some of the foods and ingredients that people with COPD should avoid, as well as some people you can speak with about maintaining healthy lungs.
- Alcohol
People with COPD must maintain good hydration because drinking lots of water will thin the mucus in their lungs and help them expel it naturally when they breathe. Alcohol dehydrates the body ironically because it is a diuretic. You become dehydrated when drinking alcohol because it accelerates the rate at which the body excretes liquids from the blood and throughout the body.
Additionally, alcohol tends to make breathing slower. This prevents the lungs from naturally exhaling mucus or coughing up mucus. As a result, if you have COPD, avoid or consume very little alcohol.
- Sodium
Fluid retention is an uncomfortable but typical problem for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Edema (swelling) can develop, particularly in the legs, feet, and ankles, and eating foods high in salt can exacerbate the swelling. The reason for this fluid retention is that COPD makes it difficult for the heart and lungs to process liquids through blood circulation properly. It’s imperative to avoid foods high in salt if you have COPD. A high sodium intake promotes the body’s ability to retain water.
- Foods high in calories
Maintaining healthy body weight is essential for people with COPD because breathing takes more energy. Your heart and lungs must work harder when you are overweight, and the extra weight may require more oxygen. As much as possible, stay away from high-calorie foods like meats, baked goods, sodas, and fried and fatty foods. But to avoid losing weight, balance this with some good fats and proteins. You may feel weak, exhausted, and more prone to infection if you are underweight. Find your ideal weight and how many calories you should consume daily from your doctor or dietitian.
- Caffeine
The way that caffeine affects COPD is through potential medication interactions. Read the medication’s label to find out if you should stay away from things like chocolate, coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks.
- Lactose
People with COPD may find it more difficult to breathe due to bloating caused by lactose, which is present in dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and even fat-free sherbets. However, since dairy products are the primary source of calcium, it’s crucial to consume other calcium-rich foods to meet your daily recommendations. Find out from your physician or nutritionist how much calcium and Vitamin D, which are necessary for the body to absorb calcium, you should consume daily. They can suggest the foods that will best suit your requirements.