Because COPD patients expend so much energy in the simple act of breathing, they may need more calories than normal persons. So it's very important that they know how to eat properly . . . .

This "How-To" list is a slightly edited version of one published by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). They have given their permission for us to reproduce it in our pages. Robert Griffith, Editor, HealthandAge

For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), eating should be treated as importantly as breathing, and shouldn't be taken for granted. A well-nourished body helps the COPD patient fight infections, and so it can prevent illness and cut down on hospitalizations.

Food is fuel, and the body needs fuel for all its activities, including breathing. Because the COPD patient expends a lot of energy in the simple act of breathing, his respiratory muscles may need up to ten times the calories needed by a healthy person. So it's very important for people with COPD to eat properly. Good nutritional support helps maintain lung function, while poor nutrition can lead to wasting of the diaphragm and other pulmonary muscles.

Here are some general guidelines on eating right with COPD. Your physician is your best source of information on diet and other information about your lung disease.

• Eat foods from each of the basic food groups: fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cereal and grains, proteins.
• Limit your salt intake. Too much sodium can cause you to retain fluids that may interfere with breathing.
• Limit your intake of caffeine-containing drinks. Caffeine may interfere with some medications and can also make you feel nervous.
• Avoid foods that produce gas or make you feel bloated. The best way to see which foods to steer clear of is by trial and error.
• Try to eat your main meal early in the day. This way, you will have lots of energy to carry you through.
• Choose foods that are easy to prepare -- you don't want to waste all your energy preparing a meal. Try to rest before eating so that you can enjoy your meal.
• Avoid foods that supply little or no nutritional value.
• Try eating six small meals a day instead of three large ones. This will keep you from filling up your stomach and causing shortness of breath.
• If you are using oxygen, be sure to wear your cannula while eating - and after meals, too. Eating and digestion require energy, and this means your body uses more oxygen.
• Try to eat in a relaxed atmosphere, and make your meals attractive and enjoyable.
• Consult your physician if you have other dietary restrictions, or if you are overweight or underweight.
• In many states, there are agencies that provide meals for people for a small fee, or even free. Check with local church organizations or government agencies to see what's available in your area.

A proper diet won't cure your disease, but it will make you feel better. You'll have more energy, and your body will be able to fight infection better. Good nutrition and a balanced diet are essential to everyone's health, but patients with lung disease must be more careful than most about following good eating habits.

Source

AARC: Eating Right: Tips for the COPD Patient http://www.aarc.org/patient_education/tips/copd.html (accessed 3/28/2002)

Links

• The American Association for Respiratory Care
• Disease Digests: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Treating COPD