COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is caused by a long-term exposure to substances that irritate the lungs. According to studies, COPD has a prevalence of 251 million cases worldwide in 2016. In fact, in 2018, approximately 3 million deaths… ...Read more
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is caused by a long-term exposure to substances that irritate the lungs. According to studies, COPD has a prevalence of 251 million cases worldwide in 2016. In fact, in 2018, approximately 3 million deaths were caused by the inflammatory disease with 90% of COPD deaths recorded in third world countries.
Causes
Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). About 20-30% of hardcore smokers develop COPD while long-term smokers may develop a reduction in lung function. In developing countries, it usually occurs when people inhale fumes from burning fuel.
Symptoms
Symptoms of COPD are usually detected after significant damage has been done to the lung, which often worsens over time, especially if exposed to more smoke.
Some other conditions that COPD can cause are:
- Short breath
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Excess mucus in lung
- Loss of energy
- Unplanned weight loss
- Ankles, feet or leg swelling
- Asthma patients who smoke
- Asthma combined with smoking triggers your risk of COPD.
- Exposure to dust and chemical fumes
- Exposure to all these can inflame and irritate your lungs.
- Protein-rich foods
- Include complex carbohydrates because they are high in fiber.
- Foods to add to your diets include peas, quinoa, beans, bran, potatoes with skin, lentils, oats, barley.
- Fruits and vegetables contain minerals, vitamins, and fibers.
- Potassium-rich foods such as avocado, tomatoes, beets, oranges, bananas.
