COPD is a condition that affects more than 11 million people in the United States alone and 65 million people worldwide, which is why it is believed that nearly 5% of all deaths are contributed to COPD. COPD, which stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease that causes the lungs to become inflamed and obstruct the airflow, which inevitably can lead to high blood pressure, weight loss, lung cancer, heart disease, and other life threatening conditions.
COPD is commonly contributed to chronic smoking, second-hand smoke, or exposure to irritants such as fumes, pollution, dust, and danger. Common symptoms of COPD include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, excess mucus, chronic cough, cyanosis, swollen ankles, and chronic fatigue. Yet, certain home remedies seem to help soothe COPD symptoms, such as:
1. Improved air quality
COPD can make it very difficult to breathe, which is why improving the quality of the air in your home can do wonders for people suffering from COPD. You should try to reduce the use of common household irritants including chemical cleaning products, paints, and varnishes, tobacco smoke, pet dander, as well as dust. By utilizing an air filtration system or opening windows will help improve air quality and prevent dust from building up.
2. Breathing exercises
Studies have shown that by practicing breathing exercises can drastically improve symptoms of COPD, which helps reduce wheezing and improve shortness of breath. There are 3 basic breathing exercises to help symptoms of COPD, which includes diaphragm breathing, Pranayam, and pursed-lip breathing. Breathing exercises help reduce shortness of breath, fatigue, and improve your overall quality of life.
3. Swimming
People who suffer from COPD often have trouble working out, which quickly causes them to become winded or out of breath. If you’re a person who suffers from COPD, your options for exercising may be limited, which may include short walks, biking, Tai Chi, stretching, or water exercises. Many people suffering from COPD have bone or muscle conditions that limit their mobility, which is why many COPD sufferers prefer water exercises. Water exercises are less strenuous on the body and therefore easier to perform.
4. Consider supplements
There a combination of supplements proven to help improve symptoms of COPD and reduce inflammation such as Vitamin D. Many people who suffer from COPD also have a vitamin D deficiency, which causes the airways to become inflamed and often leads to respiratory infections. There are other supplements aimed to reduce COPD symptoms, which includes creatine, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and Vitamin E, which boosts your immune system and helps protect against cell damage.
5. Adopt a COPD-friendly diet
If you’re someone suffering from COPD, you should understand that good nutrition and exercise go hand in hand. For your body to perform efficiently, you should adopt a healthy and nutritious diet, which will help strengthen your immune system and improve your energy level. You should also monitor your sodium intake and avoid high cholesterol foods. What you eat will directly affect your quality of life, a COPD diet will usually consist of foods such as whole grains, beans, lean protein, and fruits and vegetables.