COPD Awareness Month Encourages Care for Your Lungs

At Performance Inspired, we care about every aspect of your health. That’s why, when a month is dedicated to a serious disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, we want to educate you and help you prevent flare-ups, should you have this disease.

COPD, according to the Mayo Clinic, is an “ongoing lung condition caused by damage to the lungs. The damage results in swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, inside the airways that limit airflow into and out of the lungs.” Pulmonary—or lung—conditions that make it hard to breathe, such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, also fall under the COPD category.

Receiving a diagnosis such as this can be extremely confusing, distressing, and even scary. But remember that with any diagnosis, it doesn’t have to define you. You are not the disease. You have the disease. If you don’t have COPD, there are ways to prevent it. If you do have COPD, there are ways to prevent flare-ups so that you can live the healthiest life possible.

As with any medical condition, seeking the trusted care of your physician is key so they can monitor your progress and discuss your habits and any other treatment. But you must make a commitment to your own health. Making lifestyle choices that will help you live with the condition and keep those flare-ups from occurring is your responsibility.  

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD. Healthline explains that “cigarette smoking contributes to 85% to 90% of all cases.” So if you smoke and don’t yet have COPD, consider this a warning to stop. If you smoke and do have COPD, please take steps to quit smoking. This includes vaping, as it is extremely destructive on your body. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that “current e-cigarette users were 75% more likely to report having COPD, compared with those who had never used them.”

Yet there are also environmental factors that play a role and could lead to COPD. For instance, dust and chemical exposure can lead to this condition as well. This is important for those working in environments with cleaning or manufacturing chemicals, as it’s crucial to have a well-ventilated workspace.

Other risk factors include:

• alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, a rare genetic condition that may contribute to COPD
• pre-existing asthma
• secondhand smoke
• air pollution
• workplace or home exposure to lung irritants, such as dust or chemicals
• a history of certain infections, such as tuberculosis or HIV
• being 40 years old or over

What can you do?

Try Vitamin D

WebMD explains that a vitamin D deficiency “can make you more likely to get lung and airway infections that can cause flares. That can make your symptoms get worse suddenly.” Thus, “supplements . . . bring fewer flares to those who don’t get enough vitamin D.”

Ask your doctor to run a blood test to determine if your vitamin D levels are low. If so, consider a supplement. Performance Inspired has a delicious Vitamin D3 gummy that you can trust. Infused with a mix of strawberry, peach, and mango flavors, this vitamin not only tastes good but will serve as the immune system boost you need. Plus, it will help improve your bone and muscle strength, help prevent inflammatory diseases, and more.

Exercise

Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that fits you. While no exercise program will prevent COPD, regular exercise can increase your body’s endurance and can help your lung muscles work more efficiently. COPD.net says that “incorporating regular exercise into your routine can enhance muscle strength and increase your muscles’ efficiency in using oxygen.” You may need to begin with baby steps, but with a consistent program, you will gain endurance.

Healthy diet

Eat a diet rich in antioxidants from plant-based foods. WebMD explains that these foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds. Try adding more of these foods to your diet: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, dark/leafy greens (like spinach and kale), almonds, kidney beans, black beans, broccoli, and even green tea and dark chocolate. There are lots of great foods to choose from. A simple google search will help you find more suggestions.

Our lungs are a vital organ, and we understand how difficult it is to have trouble breathing on a regular basis. This month, examine your lifestyle and make changes to better your health. Your body, not to mention your family and friends, will thank you.