COPD and Weight Loss: Why It Happens, Tips & More

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Overview

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease that causes difficulty in breathing.

It is the fourth most common cause of death among people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With this condition, it is essential to receive treatment and develop healthy lifestyle habits to improve your prognosis.

COPDO can cause weight loss and breathing difficulties.

According to a review of the literature published in the Journal of Translational Internal Medicine, 25 to 40 percent of people with COPD are underweight. Unintentional weight loss is a sign of a serious problem, especially if you lose several pounds in a short period of time.

To promote a better quality of life and overall health with COPD, it is important to learn how to maintain your weight and meet your nutritional needs.

You need to eat enough calories and nutrients to support it:

Breathing

Disease prevention management

Power level

The effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Lung damage results in the development of COPD. There are two main forms of this disease:

Chronic bronchitis

Emphysema

Chronic bronchitis causes severe inflammation (swelling) and irritation in the airways of the lungs. This produces mucus. This mucus blocks the airways, making it difficult to breathe properly.

Emphysema develops when the air sacs in the lungs are damaged. Without proper air sacs, your lungs cannot properly absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

Smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Breathing problems and a persistent cough (or "smoker's cough") are usually the first symptoms of the disease.

Other symptoms of COPD include:

Emphasize your chest

Produced with mucus or phlegm, cough

Difficulty breathing after moderate physical exertion

Huising

Muscle pain or myalgia

Headache

COPD develops slowly. You may not notice any bothersome symptoms until the disease progresses at an early stage.

Many people with COPD get advanced diagnoses because they are treated late.

The link between COPD and weight loss

Weight loss will be followed by symptoms of severe COPD.

At this stage of the disease, the damage to your lungs becomes so severe that your lungs expand in volume, eventually making your diaphragm flatter and reducing the amount of space between your lungs and abdomen.

When this happens, your lungs and stomach can press against each other and cause discomfort when eating. The flat diaphragm makes breathing difficult.

Eating too early or eating certain foods can cause bloating or indigestion, which also makes breathing difficult. This can discourage you from eating healthy, regular foods.

Common triggers include:

Salty food

The spicy food

Fried food

High fiber foods

Carbonated drinks

Caffeine

Sometimes the physical work of preparing food can be too much for people with COPD. You may feel tired or out of breath while cooking. This can discourage you from preparing snacks and meals.

COPD can also contribute to mental health problems, which can affect your appetite and eating habits. When you're battling the effects of COPD, it's not uncommon for you to feel frustrated or anxious.

These mental health challenges affect everyone differently. Some people eat more and gain weight, others eat less and lose weight.

Even if you have a good appetite, your body burns more calories when you breathe with damaged lungs than with healthy lungs.

According to the COPD Foundation, people with these conditions need an additional 430 to 720 calories per day.

Unwanted weight loss can occur due to high-calorie requirements and not being able to satisfy them.

Complications of being underweight

Being underweight is often associated with poor nutrition. In people with COPD, the effects of poor nutrition can be particularly severe.

Not getting enough nutrition weakens your immune system and increases your risk of infection. This is why many people with COPD are hospitalized for respiratory infections.

Being underweight and malnourished can make you feel extremely tired. Chronic fatigue makes it difficult to accomplish daily tasks.

Tips for maintaining a healthy weight

To help you gain weight while making sure you are getting the right nutrition, it can help:

Eat small but frequent meals throughout the day

Look for ways to eat high-calorie foods such as low-fat dairy products instead of whole dairy products ("whole milk")

Reduce your fluid intake during meals to give your stomach more space to eat.

Drinking more fluids in food

Avoid foods and drinks that cause bloating.

Eat while using oxygen therapy

Rest before eating

In some cases, your doctor or dietitian may suggest that you add nutritional supplements to your diet.

Simplify your snacks and meals

Ways to make snacks and meals more easily can help you meet your nutritional needs.

For example, you can buy and reduce some of the physical work involved in cooking:

Pre-cut products

Microwave food

Other packaged products

Cut on sodium

Look for low sodium alternatives when you are shopping for ready-made or packaged food products. Eating too much sodium keeps your body hydrated, which puts more pressure on your lungs.

Pay attention to your mental health

If you notice that you have lost weight at the same time that you are feeling frustrated, anxious or stressed, ask your doctor about ways to improve your mental health.

Antidepressants and other treatments can help you control your weight while improving your mood and outlook on life.

For further advice and assistance, your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian or other specialist. A registered dietitian can help you deal with COPD as well as develop ways to adjust your diet.

BOTTOM LINE

There is no cure for COPD, but taking steps to treat and manage the condition can help improve your health and quality of life.

Maintaining a healthy weight and eating nutritious foods is essential to meet your body’s health needs with COP. It also helps avoid foods that trigger or worsen your symptoms.

To meet your nutrition and weight management goals, try making a few small changes to your diet and eating habits at the same time. For further advice, consider making an appointment with a registered dietitian.