Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a group of respiratory conditions. These conditions affect over 16 million Americans (CDC), and the most common of them are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is progressive, so it gets worse over time, eventually leading to death.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD, here are a couple of ways to slow down its progression and improve your quality of life:
- Stop Smoking: Smoking is the dominant cause of COPD, and over 85% of patients are either heavy smokers or people that smoked heavily in the past. Once you stop smoking, the symptoms of the disease are alleviated and the body becomes more receptive to treatment.
- Avoid Irritants: Secondhand smoke, air pollutants, and dust irritate the lungs and worsen the symptoms of COPD. Avoid anything that will bother your lungs or compromise your breathing.
- Exercise More: Shortness of breath is a major symptom of COPD. By exercising regularly, you strengthen the lung muscles, making breathing and daily tasks easier. Start with stretching and light walking before moving up to more intense cardiovascular exercises.
- Eat Better: A healthy diet boosts the immune system, reducing the severity of COPD symptoms and improving general wellbeing. Eat larger quantities of complex carbohydrates and fiber.
- Partake in a Clinical Trial: Pharmaceutical companies are constantly working on new medications to reduce the symptoms of COPD. This provides an opportunity for patients to access promising drugs even before they enter the market.
COPD patients interested in taking part in a clinical trial should visit the DM Clinical website, you may qualify for an ongoing study. For any inquiries, call 281-517-0550.