Respiratory Review - Eating Right: Tips for the COPD patient

For people suffering with a lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eating should not be taken for granted.

According to the American Association for Respiratory Care, a well-nourished body helps fight off infections and may help prevent illness, thus cutting down on hospitalizations.

A proper diet will not cure your disease, but it will make you feel better. You will have more energy, and your body will be able to fight infection better. Good nutrition and a balanced diet are essential to everyone's health, but patients with lung disease must be even more careful than most about following good nutrition guidelines.

Food is fuel and the body needs fuel for activities, including breathing. Because the COPD uses a lot of energy just breathing, ventilatory muscles can require up to ten times the calories required by a healthy person's muscles. This is why it is so important for someone with COPD to eat properly. Good nutritional support helps maintain the ventilatory functions of the lungs, while lack of proper nutrition can cause wasting of the diaphragm and other pulmonary muscles.

The American Association for Respiratory Care offers nutrition tips for persons with COPD. These are general guidelines only. Your doctor is your best source of information on diet and other information about your lung disease.

•Select foods from each of the basic food groups to include fruits & vegetables, dairy products, cereal & grains, and proteins.

•Limit salt intake. Too much sodium can cause fluid retention that could interfere with breathing.

•Limit drinks that contain Caffeine. Caffeine might interfere with some of your medications and may cause nervousness.

•Avoid gas-producing foods that make you feel bloated.

•Eat your main meal early to provide lots of energy to carry you through the day.

•Choose easy preparation foods. Rest before eating so that you can enjoy your meal.

•Avoid foods that provide little or no nutritional value.

•Try eating six smaller meals a day instead of three big ones. This will keep you from filling up your stomach and causing shortness of breath.

•Eating and digestion require energy, and this causes your body to use more oxygen. Be sure to wear your cannula while eating - and after meals, too.

•Eat in a relaxed atmosphere. Try making meals attractive and enjoyable.

If meal preparation becomes a burden, there are agencies in many states that will provide meals for people for a small fee or at no charge. Seek local church organizations or government agencies to see what is available in your area.

Source: American Association for Respiratory Care www.aarc.org

Have you seen the new CPAP from Respironics?

The new Philips RespironicsSYSTEM ONE REMstar Auto brings a wide array of proven technologies together with patient focused enhancements such as advanced humidity controls, mask optimization, and event detection/response which results in a truly intelligent sleep therapy system. The System One REMstar Auto is an Auto CPAP that adjusts therapy levels while the patient sleeps to ensure they are receiving optimum air pressure for a comfortable, successful sleep experience. It includes a wide pr essure range, adjustable ramp, auto altitude adjustment, SD data card, the latest "flex" comfort technologies, a universal power supply, and more. For help getting connected to a local Respironics CPAP distributor contact HMEprovider.com or call us at 800-951-1213.

Do you need help locating a rental wheelchair?

HMEprovider.com has a network of local, community based providers that offer a wide variety of wheelchair rental options. Whether you're looking to rent a wheelchair for recovery from an injury or you are looking to aid in the transport of a loved one for a short term need like a vacation, the HMEprovider network can help. Most medical equipment companies carry a full line of rental chairs from light weight to heavy duty chairs. A short evaluation with a medical equipment provider can help you best determine the chairs that is appropriate for your needs. To be connected to a medical equipment provider in your area for a rental wheelchair or another medical equipment need, visit us at www.hmeprovider.com