COPD

What is COPD?

COPD aka chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive disease which affects the lungs. It is characterized by airway obstruction and lung hyperinflation. COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma which causes irreversible damage and narrowing of the airways in the lungs which blocks airflow, therefore making it difficult to breathe. COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, prevalence and mortality rates increase with age and is more common in women. COPD affects 1.45 million Australians in some form. Symptoms of COPD include:

  • Regular cough
  • Coughing up phlegm
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing on exertion or at night
  • Frequent colds that last longer than normal
  • Fatigue
  • Poor appetite
  • Reduced exercise capacity
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Weight loss

What causes COPD?

The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. There are also associated risk factors in developing COPD which can include:

  • Exposure to tobacco smoke
  • Having asthma
  • Occupational exposure to dust and chemicals
  • Exposure to fumes from burning fuel
  • Genetics: A genetic disorder, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency can cause the onset of COPD.
  • Indoor and outdoor air pollution
  • Age
  • Oxidative stress

How can Bites Dietitians help?

Many studies have shown that total energy requirements in individuals with severe yet stable COPD vary from person to person due to differences in individuals resting energy expenditure and levels of physical activity. Alot of our patients with COPD struggle to consume certain foods because of the increased work of breathing that eating causes. Our dietitians can calculate your individual energy requirements and prescribe you a meal plan that meets these requirements and is also practical to consume for example doesn’t take much effort to masticate or maneouvre in the mouth/throat. With each visit, we will reassess the adequacy of your calorie intake based on changes in your body weight and anthropometric measurements and listen to the challenges you might be facing. We will adapt plans accordingly. You and your dietitian may also set specific goals that can be achieved by nutritional intervention e.g. weight or muscle gain. Our dietitians create individual meal plans that include foods you love while also accommodating your lifestyle for example, if you are struggling with fatigue or needing to conserve energy for other activities of daily living we can recommend easy recipes, suitable pre made meals, suggest suitable take-away options and recommend quick and easy on-the-go high nutrient density snacks.

Additionally, our dietitians are able to offer you ongoing support and help improve your overall quality of life and slow down disease progression. We will adapt your meal plan along the way if your needs or lifestyle change to ensure you are receiving beneficial results at every stage of disease.

An interesting fact about diet and COPD

As coffee is widely consumed and a big part of most people’s everyday life there is a growing interest in the benefits coffee can have on our health. Studies have found that regular coffee intake can be beneficial in improving lung function and reducing mortality rates from respiratory disease. However, this does not apply to people with COPD. As COPD is largely associated with smoking, smoking speeds up the hepatic metabolism and clearance of caffeine which reduces the beneficial effects of coffee due to its potent pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory action.

How can Bites Exercise Physiologists help?

As the disease progresses, noticeable changes in lung health become evident and are often mistaken for signs of aging, lack of fitness or asthma. Due to this, people are often misdiagnosed, therefore as the disease progresses, people with COPD experience a reduced quality of life caused by symptoms and lack of preventative steps to help slow down disease progression. This is unfortunate as evidence has shown early diagnosis in addition to implementing management strategies has been shown to significantly reduce the burden of the disease and keep you fit and active for longer!

People with COPD are more than capable of completing most forms of exercise. Exercise intensities and duration will most likely need to be adjusted and modified to suit your individual capabilities and symptoms. The benefits of exercise are immense in managing and slowing down disease progression in people with COPD:

  • Improves cardiovascular health and endurance
  • Increases energy levels
  • Improves immune strength
  • Increases muscle strength and endurance
  • Enhances ability to sleep and relax
  • Strengthens bone density
  • Increases self-confidence and mood
  • Improves balance
  • Reduces breathlessness
  • Reduces hyperinflation of the lungs (through improved lung function)
  • Decreases risk factors for additional heart diseases
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Reduces anxiety which commonly occurs with COPD
  • Reduces the amount of ventilation required at a certain work rate (through improved lung function)
  • Reduces depression
  • Decreases the frequency of hospitalisations for exacerbations
These benefits which can be achieved through exercise can help to improve overall quality of life by reducing the risk of mortality and minimising hospital visits.

Evidence has shown that pulmonary rehabilitation followed by ongoing exercise maintenance has immense benefits on improving quality of life and slowing down disease progression. At Bites our exercise physiologists can implement evidence-based information to help improve your health. We will create an appropriate exercise program that you enjoy. Together, you and your exercise physiologist will establish appropriate exercise intensities, exercise durations, frequency of sessions and types of exercises that are suitable for you by measuring your physiological responses to exercise such as oxygen levels, heart rate, blood pressure. We will also make sure that we tailor this program to suit your needs as well as your lifestyle. For example, if you would like a home or gym program or both we can do this for you! Our exercise physiologists will establish a plan that works with the equipment you have available as well as ensuring it achieves your goals whilst having a positive impact on your respiratory health!

An interesting fact
about exercise and
COPD

In people with COPD almost any form or level of physical activity and exercise can help to improve oxygen utilisation, work capacity, breathlessness, strength, anxiety and overall quality of life.

What improvements can you expect from a tailored dietary/exercise prescription?

From following a tailored dietary and exercise prescription you can expect successful management of COPD symptoms, overall quality of life, slowed disease progression and improved respiratory health.

How will you know if it’s working/you’re improving?

  • Decreased progression of disease
  • Reduced breathlessness
  • Improved oxygen utilisation
  • Improved quality of life
  • Decreased hospital visits
  • Decreased disease flare ups

Helpful things to bring/remember before your first appointment

  • Pathology results
  • Any journals or diaries you have been keeping
  • Referral if you have one
  • List of medications and dosages
  • GP and or specialist notes

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