COPD (Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease)

COPD causes the lungs to undergo permanent changes that affect one's ability to exhale properly.  These changes usually worsen over time.

COPD causes the lungs to undergo permanent changes that affect one's ability to exhale properly.  These changes usually worsen over time.

COPD increases the risk of a collapsed lung.

Lung diseases – such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema – are risk factors for the development of pneumonia.

Slender, older women are more susceptible to various chronic lung problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma, according to a long series of studies.

Smoking is the single most important risk factor in the development of COPD, contributing to 81.5% of all COPD deaths.  People who smoke or have chronic bronchitis have an increased risk of emphysema.  Chronic coughing and shortness of breath are symptoms of these diseases.  Studies involving over one million men and women have shown that the death rate for chronic bronchitis and emphysema is six times as high for smokers as for non-smokers.

Out of 50 consecutive COPD patients presented with acute respiratory failure upon admittance to a hospital, malnutrition was observed in 60% of all patients but only 39% of those whose body weight was equal to or above 90% of ideal body weight.  These results suggest that assessment of nutritional status should be systemically performed for COPD patients with acute respiratory failure, especially those who are in need of mechanical ventilation.  Aggressive, early nutritional support in acute illness might have beneficial effects on the weaning of patients off mechanical intervention. [Nutritional Status of Patients With COPD and Acute Respiratory Failure, Chest, May 1993;103(5): pp.1362-68]

NAC helps break down mucus.  Double-blind research has found that NAC supplements improved symptoms and prevented recurrences in people with chronic bronchitis.  NAC may also protect lung tissue through its antioxidant activity.

Red Clover tincture has long been a treatment for whooping cough and bronchitis.

Spicy foods are known expectorants, which help the body to expel phlegm.

Researchers from England state that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may only worsen by eating a diet that contains an overabundance of high-carbohydrate foods.  The results suggest that even small changes in the constitution of meals, especially in terms of less carbohydrate, may have significant effects on exercise tolerance and breathlessness amongst patients with COPD. [Diets Rich in Carbohydrates Worsens COPD, Medical Tribune, July 23, 1992; p.17]

A diet high in antioxidants may protect against the free-radical-damaging effect of environmental toxins or cigarette smoke.  Studies comparing different populations have shown that increasing fruit consumption appears to reduce the risk of developing chronic bronchitis.

Bromelain has been shown to reduce cough and thin mucus secretions for easier removal in chronic bronchitis, but probably not in acute bronchitis.

Long-term effects of particulate air pollution on the incidence of bronchitis, emphysema and asthma have been documented.  There is an unexpectedly high COPD mortality found in small agricultural communities, which may be in part due to occupational dust exposure.  The authors felt that prevention of COPD should start in childhood, with emphasis on infection prevention and the control of indoor pollution. [Environmental Factors and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, European Respiratory Review, 1992;2:9; pp.144-148]

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD.

Oxidative stress appears to play a role.  Deficiencies of glutathione and vitamins E and C were found in patients with COPD.  Increased lipid peroxidation is also a concern. [Oxidative Stress in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 1997;156: pp.341-57]

There is a possibility that magnesium deficiency contributes to pulmonary complications.  The authors note during the past few years there has been an increase in calcium consumption in the U.S. but little change in magnesium intake, which may imbalance the calcium:magnesium ratio.  Serum levels can be normal and yet there can be magnesium deficiency within cells.  These authors believe pulmonary patients should be routinely monitored for magnesium deficiency.  There have been noted benefits of magnesium for wheezing also. [Role of Magnesium in Regulation of Lung Function, The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, June 1993;93(6): pp.674-677]

For those who have trouble breathing, exercise of any form might not sound like a good idea.  However, exercise does help the body to use oxygen more efficiently; the key is not to overdo it.  Several studies have confirmed the benefits of yoga for COPD patients.  Lung function, inflammation, quality of life, and breathing all showed significant improvement.

In an experiment conducted in Western Australia, 22 male patients aged 52 to 65 were selected for severe breathing problems such as chronic bronchitis (emphysema) that made normal breathing impossible.

Half of the men underwent standard treatment for 9 months: physiotherapy that included relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and general workouts to improve stamina.  The other 11 men were given a yoga teacher instead of a physiotherapist.  He taught them techniques of yoga breathing, which encouraged the use of all chest and abdominal muscles as well as ten yoga postures.

The difference between the two groups was striking.  The men who had practiced yoga showed a significant improvement in their ability to exercise, but the physiotherapy group did not.  Eight or more out of the 11 patients who underwent yoga declared that they had definitely increased tolerance for exertion and that they recovered more quickly after exertion.  The physiotherapy group reported no similar improvement.  A significantly greater number of patients reported that "with the help of yogic breathing exercises, they could control an attack of severe shortness of breath without having to seek medical help", according to the study.

Doctors analyzing the results from the study postulate that, after the training, the breathing pattern of the patients in the yoga group changed to a slower and deeper cycle, allowing them to tolerate higher work loads.  Patients in the physiotherapy group continued in their shallow rapid breathing pattern.

A high intake of omega-3 fatty acids may protect cigarette smokers against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids may interfere with the inflammatory mediators triggered by cigarette smoking.  Even small increments of omega-3 fatty acids may have a cumulative beneficial effect. [Dietary N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Smoking-Related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, The New England Journal of Medicine, July 28, 1994;331(4): pp.228-33].