Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive form of lung disease that requires not only appropriate medication and treatment but also additional lifestyle modifications. Studies in the past suggest that smoking is amongst the common reasons for COPD. So, ditch all forms of smoking, and of course this includes hukka, electronic cigarettes too.
In addition to this, here is what you can try to manage the COPD treatment better:
1 . Destress and Calm Yourself
Living with COPD can be daunting and stressful, but, stress itself makes COPD symptoms worse. If you can destress yourself, that shall have a direct positive impact on your health. Make sure you try some relaxation techniques to get rid of the stress.
You may choose to take up a hobby such as reading, playing a sport, writing your thoughts or learning music. A hobby shall keep you busy and give you time with yourself, which shall impact you very positively.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Caffeine and other similar stimulating ingredients have been found to keep one awake. Whereas, COPD causes a lot of fatigue and may also get you sleepless nights, which is detrimental for your overall health. Make sure you stick to a regular sleep schedule and develop a circadian rhythm.
Make it a practice to keep away your cell phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets away when it is time to hit the bed. The high intensity light emitted from these screens hinder the sleep patterns significantly.
3. Try Breathing Techniques
Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of COPD. You can try some breathing techniques that can help to ease these symptoms. Some of them can be;
–Pursed Lips Breathing that shall help to ease shortness of breath, decrease the difficulty in breathing and promote relaxation. Easy to practice, you have to relax your shoulders, and breathe in slowly (through your nose) and keep your mouth closed, purse/ pout your lips (as if you are to kiss/ whistle) and breathe out slowly.
–Diaphragmatic Breathing or Belly Breathing shall help to retrain the diaphragm to work better and efficiently. Lie on your back, with knees bent. Place one hand on your hand and another on your belly, inhale slowly through your nose. As you breathe concentrate on the hand on the belly that rises. Exhale slowly while again concentrating on the hand on the belly going down.
4. Get Moving and Start Gentle Exercises
Exercise is a big NO for many suffering with COPD. But that should not be so. Gentle exercises have been found to beneficial for people with COPD. You can start with short distance walks and then add to it later.
Walking is a gentle form of exercise and keeps you physically active. Exercise essentially does not mean hitting the gym and picking those weights. You can choose to play a sport that is not very tiring and yet beneficial.
5. Eat A Healthy Diet
Food plays an important role while one is living with an ailment. It is critical to know if certain foods or ingredients serve as potential triggers for the same. In case of COPD, make sure you stay away from foods such as cured meats and cold cuts, fried and processed foods, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower), carbonated beverages (sodas).
On the other hand, it is equally important to include certain foods that shall help to maintain your nutrition level such as proteins. It is important to include proteins in your diet because it shall help to heal your body, build muscles and add strength.
People with COPD often have been found to record low on Vitamin D levels. Therefore, make a conscious effort to add Vitamin D rich foods to your diet. You may have, yoghurt, fish, tofu, whole grain cereals, shellfish and non-dairy milk.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
A healthy diet for a healthy living is incomplete without water. Make sure you drink enough water so that your body continues to stay hydrated all day long. Drinking water helps the body get rid of wastes, toxins and thins the deposited mucus. The thinner the mucus will be, the easier it will be to expel it. So grab a glass of water more frequently than you do right now.
If you suffer from chronic cough ,COPD or feel breathless or have any other lung problem meet the best lung specialist in Gurgaon at Aviss Health.
Call us on ? 9871613322, or 0124 4255211 / 4104679
Or, mail us at ? wecare@avisshealth.com