Try to think back, and remember what your daily routine looked like before you started suffering from symptoms associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, or sleep apnea…

Were your days filled with long walks outdoors, or restful naps after reading your new favorite novel? Did you spend time gardening and taking care of tasks around the house, or did you dedicate you free time to traveling far and wide to see loved ones meeting new friends along the way?

No matter what your daily life looked like before, you should still be able to experience the joys of life by accomplishing a similar daily routine now, or at least a daily routine that you love.

If you are diagnosed with stage one through four COPD or another type of breathing ailment, (for the sake of this article, we will mostly refer to COPD, however, the information applies to everyone who needs supplemental oxygen therapy despite what disease or chronic illness you may have) it is time to take control of your disease before it takes control of you. There are a lot of different lifestyle choices, treatments, and medications that can help you treat and control COPD.

For example, Several kinds of medications are used to treat the symptoms and complications of COPD. You may take some medications on a regular basis like Bronchodilators which are medications that usually come in inhalers — they relax the muscles around your airways.

Your doctor may recommend you begin a pulmonary rehabilitation program, which is a course for people with chronic lung diseases like COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It will allow you to be as active as possible while educating you about your disease.

You can also try to limit or stop habits that impact your well-being such as smoking or exposing yourself to harmful populates and allergens.

You can start exercising more and eating lung and heart healthy foods.

However, the most impactful treatment that will allow you to get back to the daily routine which you love and value, is starting oxygen therapy. Now, the only people who can reap the benefits of oxygen therapy are patients who experience low-levels of oxygen, enough so that they require supplemental oxygen to increase their blood-oxygen levels to normal rates.

If you do not have low enough levels of oxygen, taking supplemental oxygen will not benefit you, and instead you should try to increase your exercise tolerance, take you medication prudently, and eat healthy. Inhaling extra oxygen your body does not need, can make you feel nauseous or dizzy from too much oxygen saturation.

If you need oxygen therapy, it will not only increase your blood-oxygen levels. This therapy will help you get back to doing the things you love to do, whether that is sleeping, walking, golfing, traveling, reading, socializing, and so on.

The most obvious thing about supplemental oxygen therapy is that it relieves a lot of the symptoms associated with COPD. Many of the symptoms that come with COPD are debilitating, leaving you at the will of your breathlessness and irritation. Taking away these symptoms gives you the freedom and energy you need to take advantage of all the life you have left!

Oxygen therapy relieves symptoms associate with your chronic illness so you can get back to doing what you love

Your goal when it comes to oxygen therapy should be to continue as many of your usual activities as you can!

You should work with your doctor and oxygen supply company to get oxygen equipment that will allow you to do every activities you still enjoy. Choosing the right type of equipment for you and your lifestyle is crucial — the right portable oxygen equipment can play a major role in improving your quality of life, starting by relieving a lot of your symptoms.

Here are 10 symptoms of COPD that oxygen therapy will work to improve or relieve, and some of the benefits you reap by doing so:

1. Combats breathless
2. Reduces dry coughing
3. Improves stamina and energy
4. Increases exercise tolerance
5. Strengthens muscles, joints, and bones
6. Give you the ability to travel
7. Improves sleep
8. Increases life expectancy
9. Reduces headaches and nausea
10. Can improve memory

Combats breathlessness 

Oxygen therapy takes away that feeling of breathlessness all times of the day. Whether you are resting or exercising, while you are using your oxygen, you should feel comfortable breathing and capable of doing things that once made you stop to catch your breath.

If you use a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), for example the Inogen One G5, you are able to carry it with you simply by slipping it into your purse, side satchel, or backpack. It only weighs 4.8 pounds, and has a pulse dose rate 1-6. So if your oxygen levels fluctuate throughout the day depending on the activities you are performing, your POC will be able to range between every oxygen source you need.

If you have very low levels of oxygen, and you require a continuous flow of oxygen while you rest or sleep, but during the day a pulse dose setting works for you, the Respironics SimplyGO POC has you covered. This unit weighs in at a mere 10 pounds and the SimplyGo is one of the smallest and lightest continuous flow portables available.

These two POC offer the same quality of life for two people with very different oxygen requirements, so whichever oxygen user you are, you can enjoy your days with little to no breathlessness.

Exacerbations, often referred to as flare ups, are caused when someone with COPD experiences extreme shortness of breath and their medications do not work in time to relieve their breathlessness, to the point where they must seek medical attention.

By using and adjusting to a portable oxygen concentrator or another form of oxygen therapy you will likely experience less flare ups and therefore spend less time in the hospital or seeking emergency medical attention.

This peace of mind alone can serve as many forms of release from COPD’s control over you, to the point where you feel in control of your disease.

Works to alleviate symptoms associated with coughing 

If you have COPD, you have definitely experienced a persistent cough, but did you know that a cough that brings up a healthy amount and color of mucus is actually very beneficial for your airways and lungs?

If you are coughing “correctly” you are clearing your airways that are filled with excess mucus and often swollen airways. These two factors make it hard for oxygen to pass through, thereby reducing the function and productivity of your lungs.

Read this article for tips and tricks on how to cough correctly if you have COPD.

Well, if you have COPD you probably also experience a non-productive cough, often caused by smoking, it's called a dry cough. Other coughs that are common among patients with COPD are associated with anxiety. These coughs can be relieved and treated so that you can avoid coughing at social gatherings and in public spaces where it may make you feel uncomfortable.

You can reduce the dry cough if your doctor prescribes you some prednisone. A Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory drug that helps with inflammation of your airways in your lungs. If your cough is due something else that over-the-counter cough medications are unlikely to help, there are still other things that you can do to quiet a pesky cough.

Drinking water thins out your mucus making it easier to expel, staying hydrated also soothes your dry, irritated throat. You should drink at least 8 ounces of water every two hours, and if you tend to drink caffeine you should drink even more than that!

Lastly, you should try to avoid lung irritates like smoke, allergens, pollution, and other impurities in the air. These ailments can get into your lungs and stay there, making your cough last a lot longer than necessary. You can try using a humidifier in your home if you live in an arid environment to keep your throat and airways moist. Some air filters are also great for home use and can go a long way in filtering out dust and other particles in your home for fresh breathing air.

So, what does oxygen therapy have to do with a pesky cough that makes you want to stay home rather than attending your favorite annual conference or attending a social gathering? Coughing is a natural reaction that your lungs will force you to do when your airways are swollen tight and filled with mucus. Your cough alone will not clear your airways enough so that you can breathe in the amount of oxygen you need to not only be more social, but to survive.

An additional oxygen therapy prescription on top of the correct coughing techniques will get your body the oxygen it craves. You will likely start to enjoy attending more social events like you once did because you are not coughing as often, and when you do cough, you can excuse yourself to clear mucus efficiently, so you are able to get back to the festivities.

Improves stamina and energy

Your lack of energy may not have to do with your age at all. As we age we often find reasons to blame our tiredness on the fact that we are getting older. However, this is not always the case and if you are willing to accept that reality, it's time to take a look at your oxygen levels.

Without the proper exchange of gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide, your body can't get the oxygen it needs. When your body is low on oxygen, you will feel tired and fatigue comes more quickly when your lungs can't properly inhale and exhale air. You'll develop low blood oxygen levels, a condition called hypoxemia, which is one of the main signs associated with COPD that indicates you need oxygen therapy.

Your doctor can perform a series of respiratory tests to see what your breathing capacity is and how well your lungs are functioning. In stages one and two of COPD, your oxygen level may be sufficient enough on their own, and if you stick to a healthy and active lifestyle, you should be able to slow down the progression of your disease from becoming more severe.

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Once your lungs require supplemental oxygen therapy, this means that you probably have reduced ability to do daily actives without experiencing severe shortness of breath, your stamina and energy have likely declined to the point where you feel lethargic or even exhausted throughout the day.

While there is no cure for COPD, oxygen therapy is essentially a cure that will boost your stamina and energy levels! Once you get adjusted to the best portable oxygen concentrator designed to fit your needs, you will be able to get back to the sports, hobbies, chores, and other aspects of your life that give you purpose!

Works with you to help improve your exercise tolerance

Exercise is one of the best treatments for slowing down the progression of your COPD. And before you started on oxygen therapy, you probably had no intention of exercising because simple tasks would leave you breathless. Exercise seemed out of the picture.

If you have a lightweight and battery powered portable oxygen concentrator (POC), you can go out for walks and adjust the oxygen level to the appropriate output so that you do not feel as breathless and exhausted while walking.

You can also bring your POC with you to the gym, pulmonary rehabilitation, or anywhere else that you get your daily physical activity in.

And because your blood oxygen levels are more saturated after adjusting to your supplemental oxygen, you will not feel as fatigued and you will be able to build up your exercise tolerance.

This means that you might not be able to walk to the end of the street right now, but if you start walking to and from the kitchen into the living room, and then start down the driveway from your front door, eventually you will have the ability to walk up and down the cul de sac.

By improving your exercise tolerance, you are strengthening your heart, bones, muscle and most importantly your lungs! In order for you muscles to work properly your blood must be capable of delivering oxygen-rich blood to the muscle that you are working out, so in order to do this properly with COPD, supplemental oxygen is a must.

The best portable oxygen concentrators for exercise would be a unit that is lightweight so that you can carry it while you walk, jog, bike, or do aerobics. That being said, one of the lightest portable oxygen concentrator is the Caire Freestyle Comfort, and it only weighs 5 pounds. This POC offers pulse dose oxygen delivery at any rate of 1-5, this means it can deliver anywhere from 210 mil/min (milliliters per minute) to 1050 ml/min of oxygen.

The Freestyle Comfort is a wonderful option for COPD patients that need supplemental oxygen for exercise, and throughout the day and if you do not require more than 1050 ml/min of oxygen.

But many COPD patients require a continuous flow of oxygen to start or continue to exercise, others just require a higher pulse dosage.

In the case of the latter, the Respironic SimplyGO portable oxygen concentrator is an option for people who need a pulse flow settings 1-6 or continuous flow settings 0.5-2.0 LPM. This unit weights almost 10 pounds, which is slightly heavier than the other units we have discussed in this article, but that is nothing to shy away from!

You can use your POC with a portable travel cart, and research has shown the travel cart makes it much easier for a patient to bring their oxygen with them. For example, it can take less energy to pull an 18 pound unit behind you than it takes to carry a 5 pound machine so there's no need to be afraid of the larger machines.

No matter what your oxygen requirements are, a certain amount of exercise is right for you. It is up to you to take the initiatives and start somewhere where you can build up strength and endurance, and with the help of the right oxygen equipment, you can get anywhere!

Strengthens muscles, joints, and bones

Similarly to the section above about exercise, oxygen therapy can help to strengthen your muscles, joints, and bones. Now, it is important to understand that using your portable oxygen concentrator or any form of oxygen therapy will not strength your body on its own, simply by you breathing it in.

However, by adjusting and adapting to your oxygen therapy, this will give you the “tools” you need to be successful in training, exercising, and building strength.

Allows you to travel worry free

While there is no direct “symptom” of COPD that says you cannot travel, the condition does impose a lot of challenges when it comes to travel, whether it's traveling by car, airplane or boat.

The only “cure” for travel with COPD when you need oxygen therapy, is a portable oxygen concentrator. This is because if you have a liquid oxygen tank or a gas cylinder that you rely on most of the day and night, you are not allowed to travel by plane with one of these oxygen tanks.

A portable oxygen concentrator is FAA approved! This means that you can bring your POC on the airplane with you.

The SeQual Eclipse 5 portable oxygen concentrator may be heavier than other POCs like the Inogen One G3, G4, and G5, but this unit is still very easy to travel with and perfect for everyday use. It comes with a wheeled travel cart that makes pulling your concentrator behind you seem effortless.

The travel cart is equipped with oversized wheels, an elevated platform, and a telescopic handle. The oversized wheels and elevated platform make going up curbs and stairs a breeze. They also help protect your concentrator from water when you have to go over puddles or when it’s snowing.

The telescopic handle lets you adjust the travel cart to the height that is most comfortable for you! And if you ever need to store your concentrator the handle slides all the way down and locks. So if you’re traveling you can keep your SeQual on the travel cart and it will still fit underneath the seat in front of you!

If you are eager to get back to traveling, it is time to look into which POC will meet your oxygen requirements.

Helps you sleep more soundly

Oxygen therapy is shown to improve the quality of your sleep. This is because the lack of oxygen can wake you up while you are in the REM cycle of your sleep.

Many people with COPD also have obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, you probably already use a CPAP or BiPAP machine while you sleep to keep your airways open and keep them from collapsing with every inhale and exhale.

If so it is important to have a POC that is compatible with your CPAP and BiPAP machine.

No matter what your oxygen requirements are at night, LPT medical has the right unit that will work for you, and all of our units can hook up to your CPAP and BiPAP machine. That being said it is very important you talk to your doctor about using oxygen at night, and whether or not this decision is right for you.

Can add years to your life 

COPD is a chronic illness, meaning there is no cure, and therefore the disease will progress into a more severe state. Nevertheless, there are plenty of lifestyle changes, treatments, medications, and therapies that will slow down the progression of your disease, thereby adding years to your life.

By far, the most important benefit of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is that it may prolong your life, especially if you have COPD with severe resting hypoxemia (low levels of oxygen in your blood) and/or you use oxygen continuously rather than just at night or sporadically.

A combination of healthy choices and medication will get you very far in slowing down the progression of your COPD.

Life expectancy for people with COPD can be predicted by assessing body mass index (BMI), airway obstruction, dyspnea (Breathlessness), and your exercise capacity. After these value are taken into account, your doctor can give you an average of year you are expected to live

In the end, the average life expectancy for people with COPD is just that—an average estimation. You can exceed expectations by taking control and addressing the factors that you can change.

Relives headaches and nausea  

One of the more obvious symptoms oxygen therapy can relieve, is reducing COPD related headaches and nausea.

Headaches and that nauseous feeling are often caused by the lack of oxygen reaching your brain. This goes for everyone and not just people with COPD. Have you hiked a mountain top,or been to a town at high elevation where the air is thinner? At high altitudes there is less oxygen in the air, and therefore less oxygen you can breath in, and in these condition someone might experience “altitude sickness”

Altitude sickness causes someone to feel dizzy, nauseous and will also induce a painful head all, all because your body is not getting the amount of oxygen it is used to when you are at lower elevations. A simple cure is to relax, and drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.

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But if you have COPD, drinking water may help your headache or other symptoms, but not always and not for long. Eventually your headaches will not feel better after drinking water and oxygen therapy is the best solution.

Once these pesky symptoms of COPD induced dyspnea are relieved, you can get back to doing the things you enjoy, rather than being held back by a bad headache or feeling nauseous.

Can help to improve your memory 

Several studies show that using oxygen at home for more than 15 hours a day increases quality of life, oxygen therapy has good short-term and long-term effects in people who have COPD.

Using oxygen may also improve confusion and memory problems.

Getting back to the daily life you are used to

Vitamin D is an important part of everyone's diet, and if you aren’t getting enough vitamin D or if your body is not processing it correctly, you might notice the negative impacts this can have on your health. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, getting the right vitamins and minerals can be the difference between a good day and a horrible day, or a day spent at home or a day spent in the hospital. 

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What we put in our bodies matters, and how our bodies process those things we ingest also plays a critical role in the way our body as a system performs. If you do not get enough, too much, or your body cannot absorb things correctly, things get worse.

It might not be common knowledge that what we put into our stomachs actually affects our lungs, but it does.  

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also known as COPD, need plenty of vitamin D to encourage healthy bones and muscles and encourage a healthy immune system all of which contributes to a healthy lifestyle even with a chronic disease. 

If you have COPD read this blog to learn about the benefits of eating food with plenty of vitamin D and when and why you should take vitamin D supplements, and when and why you should not.  

Remember, not everyone is lacking in vitamin D, and so taking supplements could be redundant for you if your body doesn't need it, however, eating foods high in vitamin D is beneficial and will contribute to maintaining stable levels of vitamin D throughout your life. 

Vitamin D Why Do We Need It? 

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. Therefore, these nutrients are helpful if we want to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy, which for COPD patients is crucial. 

Osteoporosis is a common and significant problem in patients with COPD that has advanced into severe stages. The cause of bone loss can be attributed to a number of COPD symptoms and side effects but includes smoking, vitamin D deficiency, low body mass index, amongst other conditions. 

COPD is a respiratory disease that affects more than just your respiratory system, and the causes of COPD, such as smoking and exposure to pollution, can all contribute to other parts of your health.

When we talk about osteoporosis and bone loss and how it is related to COPD, we want to address the seriousness of the lack of recognition! Many patients with both or one of these conditions only know they have one or the other when they experience something related to the disease. In the case of osteoporosis, you might not know you have it until you get a fracture. If you have COPD you might not know it until your condition worsens and the lung damage causes you to experience exacerbations.  

Preventing Bone Loss and Treating Osteoporosis

One of the most effective strategies to prevent bone loss and/or to treat osteoporosis include taking or eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D.

Hormone replacement when indicated by your doctor is also an option as well as, other vitamin D enhancing mechanisms. 

COPD and osteoporosis are related due to the various risk factors that influence COPD, such as tobacco smoking, systemic inflammation, vitamin D deficiency, and the use of oral or inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). All of these factors can work in developing COPD, but also contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis. 

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and the deterioration of bone tissue, which makes your bones fragile and more prone to fractures. Your bone density is directly related to the mineral your body is able to use to strengthen them. 

It is not just patients with COPD, but patients with other chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, also tend to have an increased prevalence of osteoporosis.

Now that there is an increased awareness by pulmonologists and the increased use of preventive strategies, the impact of osteoporosis on those patients with COPD should decrease. However, in order to actively avoid Osteoporosis if you already have COPD or not, you need to have enough vitamin D. 

Getting Enough Vitamin D 

Here are some basic ways you can effectively increase your vitamin D levels.

First of all, you need to know how much vitamin D you need in order to know what a healthy amount of vitamin D looks like.

How much vitamin D do you need?

It is up for debate within the scientific community how much vitamin D.

While the U.S. National Academy of Medicine considers 600–800 IU of daily vitamin D to be sufficient for the majority of the population, the U.S. Endocrine Society recommends 1,500–2,000 IU per day. Although it would be hard to take too much vitamin D, it is best to avoid long-term vitamin D doses in excess of 4,000 IU without supervision from a qualified healthcare professional. 

Well what does all of this mean?

Try doing these 7 things to get enough vitamin D: 

1. Spend time in sun

We often call vitamin D the “the sunshine vitamin” because sunlight is a great source of this nutrient! If you have COPD, getting out into the sunlight everyday should not be a daunting task, it can be as simple as sitting in a sunroom or on the front porch reading a book.

The sun helps enrich our vitamin D levels because human skin has a type of cholesterol that functions as a precursor to vitamin D so when this cholesterol is exposed to light and radiation from the sun, it becomes vitamin D that our body can use!

Surprisingly, vitamin D from the sun may last twice as long as vitamin D from food or supplements! That being said, just because you are getting plenty of sunlight there are variables in your body that would inhibit you body from making enough vitamin D from the sunlight. 

Skin tone and age

Note that people with darker skin have more melanin and therefore need to spend more time in the sun to produce vitamin D than those with lighter skin and less melanin. Melanin is a compound that can prevent vitamin D production.

Age

Your age can also have an impact  on the way your body produces vitamin D as well. As you get older, the way your body produces vitamin D becomes less efficient.

Geographical location and season

Obviously, the area you live in will determine that amount of sunlight and subsequently the amulet of vitamin D you’ll be able to produce year-round. If you live in an area with a lot of direct sunlight your physical proximity to the sun’s rays helps you produce vitamin D.

Inversely, if you live in darker or colder environments, your opportunities for adequate sun exposure and vitamin D production decreases.

Sunscreen and clothing

Certain types of clothing and sunscreen can hinder — if not completely block — vitamin D production. This does not mean you should go outside without sunscreen or UV protection! It is vital to protect yourself from skin cancer by avoiding overexposure to sunlight. 

Note that it takes very little unprotected time, as few as 8–15 minutes of exposure is enough to make plenty of vitamin D for lighter-skinned individuals and slightly longer for those with darker skin, in the sun for your body to start producing vitamin D.

2. Eat fatty fish and seafood

Fatty fish and seafood are a few of the richest natural food sources where you can get plenty of vitamin D.

To put it into numerical values, a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) servings of canned salmon gives you 386 IU of vitamin D. 

Other kinds of fish and seafood rich in vitamin D include:

• tuna
• mackerel
• oysters
• shrimp
• sardines
• anchovies

3. Eat mushrooms

Interestingly, mushrooms are the only food source that is vegetarian and also a source of vitamin D.

In a similar way as humans, mushrooms can make their own vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. The difference is that humans produce a form of vitamin D known as D3 and  mushrooms produce D2.

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Both D3 and D2 forms of this vitamin can increase your circulating vitamin D levels, though research suggests that D3 from sunlight is known to raise levels more effectively and efficiently than D2 from mushrooms. 

The vitamin D content depends on the type of mushroom, but certain kinds can provide as much as 2,348 IU per 3.5-ounce serving, even more than canned salmon!

4. Add egg yolks to your diet

Egg yolks are another source of vitamin D that you can easily add to your routine.

Like many other natural food sources, egg yolks have variable vitamin D content.

Overview 

Health related issues go together like peanut butter and jelly, for example high cholesterol and heart attacks or osteoporosis and bone fractures. It's less intuitive that breathing problems and osteoporosis are also commonly related, but these conditions are seen together so often that it's obvious one influences the other. 

What does breathing have to do with your bones? How can the shortness of breath you experience due to your COPD be related to your bone fractures? 

When we look deeper at the relationship between osteoporosis and COPD we can see the logic. Not only is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) linked to osteoporosis, furthermore, loss of lung capacity is associated with osteoporosis. 

The blockage of lung blood vessels can be associated with a treatment for osteoporosis-related fractures. Understanding this relationship among others, can help you better manage both conditions.

Getting enough vitamin D is essential for both COPD and Osteoporosis, and in doing so you are advancing your health, and improving your quality of life! 

Cold weather is right around the corner, depending on where you live, this can be a dreadful time of year for many people. Especially for people with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

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Low Temperatures and nasty weather can cause COPD symptoms to get worse, which is why you have to be super careful and prepared for winter. The cold and dry air can ignite a flare-up and even require you to go to the hospital. According to a study, temperature extremes, below freezing, are particularly dangerous.

An influx of cold air into the lungs can trigger a number of negative responses in your lungs, and the cold air will narrow your airways.

When this happen you may experience the following symptoms:

• Dyspnea
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shallow breathing
• Increased mucus production
• Difficulty clearing airways

All of these symptoms are uncomfortable and can cause a COPD exacerbation and may require you to take a trip to the hospital if your symptoms don't improve. 

More snow and frozen sidewalks are just two of the many challenges we face during these winter months. On top of all of this, travel to and from the doctors office is sometimes impossible. Taking care of yourself and taking the necessary precautions during this time is crucial for your health and wellbeing. 

If you are an oxygen patient, meaning you have a pulmonary condition that restricts your ability to breathe the proper amount of oxygen into your body, this blog will be a great resource for you to help combat the cold weather and its effects on your body.

We will give you all of the tips and tricks for not only surviving the winter months, but how to create an environment in your home and mind that is nurturing and comforting!  

1. Getting Enough Exercise 

Exercise is a crucial part of COPD treatment and helps all people with or without respiratory illnesses.

Keeping your lungs strong also helps keep your muscles and bones healthy, so you can live a longer, happier life. In the winter exercise is especially challenging.

Driving in the snow can be so dangerous, even just walking to your car you risk the chance of slipping on ice. Driving to your pulmonary rehab course or to the gym might not be an option for you in the winter months. 

Here are some great alternatives, but check with your doctor before starting an exercise program:

2. Walk    

Just about everyone with COPD can walk, even if you don’t exercise much, walking is a great way to start. The best part is that you can do it anywhere, and it is still beneficial. If you have a treadmill, or space in your living room, simply just walking around your home can contribute greatly to your health. 

If it seems daunting, start with super small objectives and then add 30 seconds or 10 yards each day. This slow and short pace will still be so good for you.

While walking outside, try breathing through your nose instead of your mouth may also be helpful as this will warm the air before it reaches the lungs.

3. Bike

A stationary bike is a great option for people with COPD, especially when it is too cold or snowy outside to ride a bike outdoors. Being in the privacy of your home can also help a lot of people get over the fear of exercising in front of others, which is very common. 

A stationary bike is a safe way for people with COPD to reap the benefits of biking, without venturing too far away from their home. And if you need oxygen therapy, you are able to exercise with your portable oxygen concentrator tanks right next to you without carrying the extra weight with you on the bike. 

4. Weighting lifting 

Lifting light weights can help you maintain strength so you are able to do everyday things, like reach a high shelf or carry a gallon of milk. 

You can order cheap hand weights from amazon, stretchy bands, or just use water bottles or soup cans to try arm curls by following these simple steps:

1. Hold the weights at your sides palms forward
2. Breathe in
3. Lift toward your chest
4. Keep elbows down
5. Exhale slowly
6. Slowly lower your arms back down as you breathe in. 
7. Build up to two sets of 10-15 repetitions.

 any exercise makes you short of breath, stop and sit down for a few minutes.

5. Avoid Oxygen Delivery Delays 

Getting your oxygen delivered as an oxygen patient is something that you always have to worry about. In the winter, be weary of delivery delays and other weather impacts in delivery services! 

Keep an oxygen canister for emergencies on reserve for if your oxygen refill is delayed. 

If you have a portable oxygen concentrator, you will not have to worry about getting your oxygen delivered. Instead you might have to worry about power outages. 

Keep an extra oxygen concentrator battery or a charged battery on deck for bad storms where the power potentially goes out. An external battery charger would also be a helpful tool for these situations!  

6. Meal Prep and Grocery Shopping 

Eating and diet are very important aspects of your COPD treatment. Eating foods that don’t bloat or put more pressure on your lungs is crucial to combat exacerbations and other health related issues. 

In the winter, you can meal prep for the week to avoid multiple grocery store trips, and also to maintain a healthy diet. Here are some helpful tips for winter dishes that will help you maintain a healthy weight throughout the winter: 

Eat protein-rich foods

Eat high-protein, high quality foods, such as 

• grass-fed meat
• pastured poultry & eggs
• fish — particularly oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines.

Complex carbohydrates

complex carbohydrates are your friend because these foods are also high in fiber. FIber helps improve the function of the digestive system and blood sugar management.

Make a chili or soup with some of the following ingredients:

• peas
• bran
• potatoes with skin
• lentils
• quinoa
• beans
• barley
• fresh produce

You can also do fresh fruits for breakfast but some are more suitable than others, here is a list of some good ones:

• Avocados
• Tomatoes 
• Bananas
• Oranges  

Vegetables are always a good option, they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients will help to keep your body healthy, again some vegetables are better than others for people with lung conditions: 

• Dark leafy greens
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Potatoes

A healthy diet won’t cure COPD, but eating right will help your body fight off infections, including chest infections that may lead to hospitalization. Avoiding the hospital in the winter and at all times of the year is always the goal. Eating healthfully will help you reach this goal and it will give you energy to exercise and improve your mood too.

7. Get a Face Mask For Keeping Cold Air Out of Your Lungs 

Breathing in the cold air can irritate your lungs, restrict your airways, causing increased symptoms and in some cases exacerbations. 

By covering your nose and mouth with a scarf and breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth you will warm the air before it reaches your airways. 

A CT Mask is specifically designed for people living with COPD or asthma to help with breathing in cold air while outdoors.

8. Staying Warm Inside Safely 

Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is important, but if you have COPD or asthma, don’t use fireplaces. The wood can cause smoke build-up which can also aggravate your respiratory symptoms.

While you are indoors, the air humidity should be around 40%. If you live in a particularly dry area, you can reach this humidity with a humidifier.

9. Avoid Infections  

To reduce your chances of visiting the hospital this winter, avoid infections. You can do this by washing your hands often and thoroughly. And to make sure you stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations, especially for the flu and pneumonia.

The Cleveland Clinic also recommends that you:

• stay hydrated
• practice good hygiene
• keep your home sanitized
• avoid crowded places and people who are sick to reduce your risk of getting an infection
• If you do get a cold or the flu, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible.

There are also outbreaks of flu in periods of cold weather, so protect yourself against infections and take advantage of the free flu vaccine you are entitled to!

Overview 

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By following these steps, you will have a better chance of staying healthy over the cold winter months.

These tips and tricks can take some getting used to but once you are able to nail down a winter routine and execute your COPD treatment effectively in the winter and only takes a little bit of patience after that for spring to roll around again!

If you are shopping for a portable oxygen concentrator, us here at LPT Medical are here to help! We have an inventory of pulse flow and continuous flow devices, all of which are top on the line and reliable devices that will get you through any season!

We also have oxygen accessories that we sell separately so if you need an extra battery, external battery chargers, tubing we got you covered!

Just call us anytime at 1(800)-946-1201 

If you live with COPD, asthma, or a similar chronic condition, it can sometimes feel like you’re walking on eggshells. These diseases cause the lungs, airways, and other areas of the body to become very sensitive to “triggers” like air pollution, infection, injury, and more. In certain situations, even your pulmonary rehabilitation routine can exacerbate these symptoms; this is why it’s always important to keep your doctor informed about what you’re experiencing.

Oftentimes, COPD patients may encounter symptoms that are seemingly unrelated to their lungs. These are called “complications” because they are not common symptoms of lung disease but lung disease can often be a catalyst for things like heart disease, vascular disease, and even mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.

One frequent, but often overlooked complication of COPD is something called peripheral edema. The term “edema” refers to swelling in the body, usually due to the buildup of fluid and the term “peripheral” refers to areas away from the center of your body such as your legs, hands, or arms. In this post, we’ll help you better understand what peripheral edema is, what causes it, and what steps you can take to mitigate it. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below so we can get back to you.

What is Peripheral Edema?

“Peripheral edema” is the medical term for swelling in the limbs of the body. It can occur anywhere in the body, but it most commonly occurs in the lower legs or feet. Usually, edemas develop slowly over a couple of days or weeks, but in rare instances, it can happen over the course of a couple of hours. Many patients don’t realize there is swelling until they experience pain or they aren’t able to put on their shoes, shirt, or pants.

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There are six types of edema, but only three of them are known complications of COPD. These include peripheral edema, pulmonary edema, and pedal edema. Let’s take a look at each of the six types of edema to see how they compare.

Lymphedema

Lymphedema usually occurs in one of your legs or arms. Cancer patients who have damaged lymph nodes or people who have had them removed for cancer treatment often experience this symptom. Lymph nodes are an important part of the immune system because they block harmful substances, but if they are damaged they may cause your body to retain fluids, thus causing edema.

Cerebral Edema

Cerebral edema tends to be the most serious type of edema because it occurs in the brain. Some common causes of cerebral edema include head injuries, blood clots, tumors, and allergic reactions. Cerebral edema can often be life-threatening, so it’s best to seek immediate medical attention.

Macular Edema

The macula is at the light-sensitive area at the center of the retina in your eye. Macular edema occurs when blood vessels in this area begin to leak fluid and sometimes blood. If macular edema is left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage to the eyes or even blindness. If you’re experiencing pain in your eyes, a sharp headache, blurry, or impaired vision of any kind, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary edema is the buildup of fluid in the lungs. This is most often caused by heart conditions like a heart attack, hypertension, or narrowed heart valves. Acute pulmonary edema which comes on quickly can be serious and even life-threatening, especially in patients who already have a chronic lung or heart disease.

Pedal Edema

This type of edema is found in the lower legs and feet. There are several known causes of this type of edema including venous edema which is the retention of low-protein fluid and increased capillary filtration. The second most common cause of pedal edema is lymphatic edema which we discussed earlier. These two different causes of pedal edema can either work independently or together to create swelling in the feet.

Peripheral Edema

The term “peripheral edema” is a little broader than the terms used above. While the others describe a specific type of swelling caused by a known condition, peripheral edema can occur in many parts of the body and it has many different causes.

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Edema? 

The primary symptom of peripheral edema is swelling in the extremities. This swelling is usually drastic enough that it will be noticeable by you or your loved ones, and as the swelling increases, you’ll likely have trouble putting on your shoes or clothing without having to force them on.

Another symptom of peripheral edema is reduced mobility. If you’re like most COPD patients, you’re probably trying to stay active in order to preserve your lung function and keep your muscles strong and efficient. If you’re developing peripheral edema, you may feel your legs becoming heavier or you may notice that you lose your sense of balance more easily than you did before.

In some, but not all cases, people with peripheral edema may experience pain and tightness in their legs or feet. As the amount of fluid increases in the affected area, you may notice the skin becoming shiny and red. You might also experience something called “pitting.” This is when you press on an area of your skin and the indentation remains there longer than it would on a healthier part of your body. Since the fluids that your legs or feet are retaining would normally be flushed out of the body, you might also see an increase in your body weight.

What Causes Peripheral Edema?

Peripheral edema has a variety of different causes. If your edema comes and goes within a day or two, this is likely a sign of a less serious underlying condition. But if the edema is chronic and it only seems to get worse as time goes on, this is likely a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Either way, it’s important that you speak with your doctor right away and be thorough about the symptoms you’re enduring. Since there are so many potential causes, peripheral edema is very difficult to diagnose accurately. As a result, the more information your doctor has, the better diagnosis he/she will be able to provide. Below are some of the top causes of peripheral edema.

Injuries

If you’ve ever had a fracture, strain, sprain, or bruise, you know that it’s usually accompanied by some swelling and pain. This is because your body releases white blood cells and other fluids to the area in order to repair the damage. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may take several days or weeks for the swelling to subside. 

Prolonged Sedentary Behavior

Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining a healthy vascular system. Even moderate exercise that slightly raises your heart rate has significant benefits when it comes to promoting healthy circulation. However, as we age, it becomes increasingly difficult to exercise regularly. This sedentary lifestyle can affect blood flow throughout your body and lead to fluids building up in your extremities. Especially your legs. 

High Sodium Intake

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the average American consumes about 3,400 mg of sodium per day but the recommended daily intake is 2,300 mg a day. Unfortunately, sodium plays a major role in the retention of fluids in your body and it can have adverse effects on your body’s ability to flush out toxins. Consuming high amounts of salt through processed foods can cause peripheral edema and if you’re already experiencing edema, it can make it worse.

Medications

Every drug, medication, or supplement has side-effects. Some drugs can cause or contribute to edema either by impairing lymph drainage or increasing the amount of fluid that is filtered from the blood capillaries into various tissues throughout the body. Here are a few of the medications that might cause complications:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Blood pressure medication
• Corticosteroids
• Hormones
• Diabetes medication
• Antidepressants

How Are Peripheral Edema and COPD Linked?

Peripheral edema is common in COPD patients. While COPD does not directly cause edema, it can result in a medical condition called pulmonary hypertension which causes peripheral edema. Oftentimes, when a COPD patient experiences swelling in the hands, legs, or feet, they don’t associate it with their lung condition. It’s often shrugged off as a sign of aging or they may take Benadryl or a similar drug thinking it’s an allergic reaction. Ideally, if you ever experience unusual symptoms it’s best to consult your doctor rather than trying home remedies because this may exacerbate the issue.

Pulmonary Hypertension

The function of the right side of the heart is to receive oxygen-poor blood and pump it into your lungs. As it passes through the lungs it is re-oxygenated by alveoli (tiny air sacs) then it moves through the left side of the heart to be pumped through the body. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the blood pressure in your lungs is too high, thus resulting in strain on the right side of the heart. If this issue persists the heart can become overworked and enlarged, resulting in a condition called cor pulmonale. 

Cor Pulmonale

Cor pulmonale is more commonly called right-sided heart failure and it’s usually an urgent medical condition. According to Medscape, COPD patients who develop cor pulmonale have a 30 percent chance of living for 5 years. Peripheral edema is sometimes, but not always, the result of cor pulmonale, so it’s imperative that you visit a doctor even if you don’t believe your swelling is due to any serious underlying condition.

COPD leads to pulmonary hypertension and eventually cor pulmonale through a process called hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). This is a type of vascular remodeling that results in the constriction of vascular smooth muscle due to low partial pressure of oxygen (Po2). In other words, if your lung function is impaired due to emphysema or chronic bronchitis, the arteries in your lung will respond by reducing their size which will increase blood pressure.

Since pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale put so much strain on the heart, you may see the problems manifest in other areas of the body. Due to the force of gravity, blood and other fluids often start to pool up in extremities, primarily the feet and lower legs. If this is the cause of your peripheral edema, your doctor will need to treat your underlying lung problems and vascular problems in order to reduce the swelling. Supplemental oxygen therapy and blood thinners are often prescribed to treat pulmonary hypertension if you aren’t already on them.

How to Prevent Leg Swelling With COPD

If you want to prevent leg swelling with COPD, your best bet will be to follow your COPD treatment plan. Pulmonary rehabilitation is extremely important for preventing swelling because not only will it improve your endurance, but it will also strengthen your heart muscle, improve circulation, and reduce body fat which is a known contributor to peripheral edema. To combat leg swelling, your doctor may advise that you increase the amount of time spent doing pulmonary rehab, or he/she might advise that you split your exercise routines into shorter, more frequent intervals.

Hydration is another key treatment for leg swelling caused by COPD. Plasma, the primary component of your blood is made up of 90 percent water. And water is what keeps blood flowing freely throughout your body without clotting or pooling. So, it goes without saying that drinking more water will improve your circulation and keep you healthy. Most doctors will recommend around 8 to 12 glasses of water a day for the average COPD patient.

Last but certainly not least, you need to watch what you’re eating. Diet plays an extremely important role in your vascular health so eating the right food can relieve a significant amount of stress on your heart and thus prevent peripheral edema. Aside from staying hydrated, you’re going to want to consume less salt and sodium. What’s more, studies have shown that when coupled with a diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium, low-salt and low-sodium diets are more effective. 

Conclusion

If you’re currently experiencing swelling of the hands, legs, or feet with COPD, you’re not alone. This phenomenon can occur for a variety of reasons, most of which are not life-threatening. In fact, many seniors, even ones who are generally healthy, can experience it. But due to the fact that swelling can be a sign of pulmonary hypertension or right-sided heart failure you should plan on talking to your doctor as soon as possible, just to be safe.

In the meantime, you should plan on closely following your COPD treatment plan that you worked out with your doctor. While home remedies may help ease the discomfort and swelling a bit, the best way to treat peripheral edema is to treat the underlying disease that’s causing it. If you have any questions about what you read here, please feel to leave a comment or reach out to us.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you know that your lung health is directly linked to your systemic health. Just having COPD puts you at a higher risk for respiratory infection, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. But did you know that there’s even a link between your oral health and COPD?

Chances are, you’ve been told from a young age that brushing your teeth will help you prevent cavities and have a nice smile. But this leaves out a lot of details about how your oral hygiene plays a bigger role in your overall health and wellbeing. According to a study funded by the COPD Foundation, people with severe COPD have poor oral hygiene and they also have poor oral health-related quality of life.  

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In this post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons COPD patients tend to have poor oral health in comparison to the general population and we’ll also give you some tips for improving your oral health routine in order to live more comfortably with COPD. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below so we can get back to you. Alternatively, you can reach out to your doctor for more information about this subject.

How Does COPD Affect Your Oral Health?

When someone is told that two seemingly unrelated organs in the body like the lungs and the teeth or gums are inextricably linked, they’re often surprised. However, the closer you look, the more you’ll realize that they’re related in a number of ways, whether it’s directly or indirectly. The body, as a whole, is a system, so it’s not surprising that something that affects one part will eventually have an effect on the whole.

The Effects of Smoking

The first reason that COPD patients are more likely to have dental health issues is that most COPD patients either currently smoke or were smokers in the past. According to the American Lung Association, around 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking and around 38 percent of COPD patients report that they are still smokers. Over the decades, evidence has consistently shown that smoking is incredibly bad for your teeth and gums.

In your mouth, there is a constant battle going on between good bacteria which cleans your teeth and gums, and bad bacteria which leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Smoking negatively affects the quality of your saliva by destroying protective macromolecules, proteins, and enzymes. In other words, the immunological aspect of your saliva is severely hampered the more you smoke.

Smoking also affects your immune system as a whole meaning your body will be less equipped to deal with an infection in your gums or teeth. This study shows that cigarette smoking can have one of two effects on the body. It either exacerbates immune responses leading to chronic inflammation in the body or it attenuates the immune response. Either way, the immune system is less capable of doing its job and warding off infections before they become serious or even life-threatening.

Changes in Your Routine

There’s no doubt about it, being diagnosed with COPD can be life-changing. You might be pressured by your doctor or family to make sudden and drastic changes to your lifestyle, all of which can be daunting and feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. More often than not, this causes people to fall back on aspects of their daily routine that they’ve kept up on for many years like practicing good oral hygiene and even making it to the dentist regularly.

Considering the fact that COPD patients visit their doctor more frequently than the general population and many of them are working and maintaining their personal lives and relationships, it can be very difficult to find time to make it to the dentist. And the longer this goes on, the more likely it is that you could develop something like gum disease or periodontitis without even knowing.  

COPD Medication

Believe it or not, the medication you take for COPD is another thing that could be causing a decline in your oral health. According to this patient education manual created by the American Thoracic Society, COPD medication can cause dry mouth, a condition where your salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. While this may seem rather harmless, it can actually be quite dangerous if it’s prolonged because saliva plays such a vital role in protecting your teeth and gums.  

Inhaled bronchodilators (both short- and long-acting) can cause dry mouth. These medications are used to open up the airways to help you breathe easier and help them clear mucus. Also, inhaled anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroids) like beclomethasone, budesonide, or fluticasone are known to cause dry mouth. Since these medications are a core part of your treatment plan, it’s best not to completely eliminate them, but to find a workaround for coping with dry mouth instead. This article will give you a good overview of how to deal with dry mouth. 

Another potential issue caused by COPD medications is something called oral thrush. This is an infection that occurs in the mouth and throat due to a weakened immune system caused by inhaled medication. Typically, this condition is not serious, but it can cause discomfort while eating and you may need to take antifungal medication in order to get rid of it. Oral thrush is also known to cause or contribute to dry mouth.

How Does Your Oral Health Affect COPD?

Similar to how COPD affects your oral health, there’s also a mountain of evidence suggesting that your oral health can negatively affect your COPD. According to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology, periodontal disease may increase the risk of respiratory infection such as pneumonia in COPD patients. This is a condition that causes the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) to fill with fluid leading to a chronic cough and breathlessness. 

It Can Alter Your Diet

Probably the most likely way that your oral health will affect your lung health is by altering your diet. If you’ve read our articles here at LPT Medical before, you likely know how important your diet is when it comes to reducing chronic pain while preventing breathlessness and fatigue. Most COPD patients should maintain a diet high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber, however, it depends on your individual circumstances. 

As we get older, our dental health declines significantly. According to Boston Magazine, people between the ages of 35 and 44 years old have lost at least one tooth. And between the ages of 65 to 74, about 26 percent of people have lost all of their teeth. This is due to a number of causes such as tooth decay, gum disease, periodontal disease, and even traumatic injury. This can impact your diet because it may prevent you from eating certain foods.

Unfortunately, foods that are easy to consume and provide us with a lot of energy also tend to be the worst for us. Things like fruit juice, soda, yogurt, and processed foods are convenient, but they’re also laden with sugar and additives that will exacerbate your respiratory symptoms and leave you feeling exhausted and unmotivated. Taking some extra time to cut or break your healthy foods up into smaller pieces may remedy this issue.

It Can Lead to Infections

Most dental infections occur in the tooth, gums, or supporting structures of the teeth. But did you know that dental infections can actually spread to other parts of the body if they aren’t treated? Most COPD patients have a weakened immune system meaning it will be more difficult for your body to fight it off. In certain cases, these infections can be severe and even life-threatening so it’s best to always seek help sooner rather than later. What’s more, dealing with dental issues can be extremely draining and it will take time and energy away from your COPD routine.

Preventing infections is absolutely imperative as a COPD patient. Lung infections are the most likely cause of flare-ups and exacerbations, and they’re also the most likely cause of someone being admitted to the hospital due to COPD. So, whenever you go to brush or floss your teeth, think of it as being beneficial for your full-body wellness rather than just your teeth and gums.

What Can be Done to Improve Your Oral Hygiene?

Brush More Frequently

Possibly the simplest way to improve your oral hygiene is to brush and floss more frequently. With the busy schedules that many people have nowadays, it can be hard to find the time to brush twice a day and floss, but it’s the best thing you can do for your oral health. People tend to skip flossing, but this is the only way to reach the bacteria between your teeth where it can cause the most harm. Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

Drink More Water 

Proper hydration not only helps with organ function, but it can also help prevent cavities. When you think about all of the different foods you consume in a day, it’s not hard to see why this is so important. Water removes food from between your teeth, prevents dry mouth, and can dilute acids that stain and eat away at your teeth. Rather than drinking a bunch of water in the morning or right before bed, try drinking water throughout the day, especially during meals. This way, food particles don’t have the opportunity to latch onto your teeth and cause damage.

Schedule Regular Teeth Cleanings

While you can and should take your dental health into your own hands, it’s also important to see a dental specialist regularly. Even if you are careful with your brushing and flossing, any leftover plaque on your teeth when you go to bed at night will turn into something called tartar. This is basically a hardened version of plaque that can only be removed with special tools by your dentist. Another reason to schedule regular teeth cleanings is so that your dentist can make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and that you’re on the right track. Dental issues are almost always easier to fix when they’re detected early on.

Consider Dental Implants

It’s estimated that about 90 percent of people with no teeth use dentures. And while dentures can improve your smile, they don’t provide any benefits when it comes to eating. Dental implants, on the other hand, essentially provide you with a new pair of teeth that are just as effective as natural ones when it comes to chewing. In other words, you’ll be able to keep up with the dietary requirements that your doctor gave you to help you manage COPD. Dental implants can be used to replace just one missing tooth or a whole mouth of missing teeth.

The important thing to remember with dental implants is that your oral hygiene is still incredibly important. While implants can’t decay like your natural teeth can, you will still need to keep your gums healthy in order to prevent gum disease and periodontal disease. When you get dental implants, you will be provided with special cleaning tools and instructions on how to maintain your new teeth. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants so you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a periodontist to see if they’re right for you.

Conclusion

There is a two-way road between your oral health and your lung health. Years of smoking and the development of COPD can contribute to problems like tooth decay and gum disease. On the other hand, maintaining a poor dental health regime can cause flare-ups in your respiratory symptoms. In other cases, poor dental health and poor respiratory health can contribute to comorbidities like heart disease, poor circulation, and more.

While you have a lot to worry about like making it to doctor’s appointments and pulmonary rehabilitation, it’s always important to make time for your oral health as well. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and you should go in for teeth cleanings every six months. And if you have any additional concerns about how COPD could affect your oral health, be sure to speak with your doctor immediately.

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Lastly, if you’re a COPD patient looking for a better solution for your oxygen needs than a bulky oxygen tank, take some time to look through our portable oxygen concentrators here at LPT Medical. POCs are electronic oxygen delivery devices so you’ll never have to refill them. They’re also extremely travel-friendly and easy to use. We recommend the Inogen One G5 and Caire FreeStyle Comfort to most patients, but you can learn more about the specifications by reaching out to our respiratory specialists. 

If you tuned into our blog earlier this month, you know that we discussed COPD as a “systemic disease.” In other words, it’s a disease that affects every part of the body, not just the lungs. This is an important distinction to make because it enables both patients and medical professionals to detect systemic manifestations earlier on and treat them more effectively. One of the systemic manifestations that we mentioned in this post is osteoporosis, a disease that affects the density of the bones.

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Osteoporosis is a common comorbidity of COPD, meaning the two conditions often exist side-by-side. Because of the nature of the two diseases, there are many complications that arise as a result of having them both. For example, both COPD and osteoporosis increase the patient’s risk of experiencing a fall as well as getting seriously injured from a fall. In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at the connection between COPD and osteoporosis, how they’re related, and how to cope with each. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to leave them in the comment section below so that we can get back to you.

What is Osteoporosis?

Your bones are in a constant state of repair. Cells called osteoblasts synthesize bone material and assist in the mineralization of bone tissue. Simultaneously, cells called osteoclasts degrade old bone tissue and send calcium back into the blood. After a year, your body has regenerated about 10 percent of its bone tissue. The reason your body does this is that bone tissue does not last forever. It needs to be replaced regularly in order for your bones to be strong enough to support the weight of your body.

It’s natural for bone remodeling to occur more slowly the older we get. However, if the rate at which bone is produced is much slower than it’s being removed, or it’s being removed much quicker than it’s being replaced, this is known as osteoporosis, a disease that affects around 10 million Americans. Osteoporosis is more common in women over the age of 50, but anyone can get it at any age.

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Osteoporosis usually develops very slowly and people are at a higher risk if they have a lower “peak bone mass.” Most people reach this point when they’re in their mid-twenties to thirties, so osteoporosis can sometimes (but not always) be predicted. Oftentimes, there are no warning signs of osteoporosis until the patient experiences a fracture. However, some people will experience joint pain, back pain, or a stooped posture. One instance where you may receive an early diagnosis of osteoporosis is if your doctor believes you are at high risk for this condition.

Bone fractures in the hip or spine are some of the most serious complications of osteoporosis because they impair the patient’s mobility. Falls are the most common cause of these types of injury but in severe cases, bones can fracture from simply bumping into something, bending over, or coughing. While there is no cure for osteoporosis there are many treatment options available that can help boost the rate of bone growth in your body, thus helping to prevent fractures and chronic pain.

How is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?

The main test used to diagnose osteoporosis is called a bone mineral density (BMD) test. It uses a type of low-energy X-ray called Dexa-Scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or DXA) to calculate the density of bone in the spine and hip. Your bone mineral density (BMD) is compared to the mean BMD for your age to determine if you have either osteoporosis or osteopenia. This is a condition that simply means you have low bone mineral density, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop osteoporosis in the future or that you’re at risk of experiencing a fracture. If your BMD is less than one standard deviation below the mean, your bones are normal. Between -1 and -2.5 standard deviations is considered osteopenia and more than -2.5 is osteoporosis.  

There are many other tests that can be performed to assist health professionals to determine if you have osteoporosis. Computerized tomography (CT) scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and body composition analysis which shows the percentage of body weight due to bone, fat, muscle, and water. There are also many blood tests that can assist in diagnosing osteoporosis including blood calcium tests, vitamin D tests, thyroid tests, and testosterone tests. Be sure to ask your doctor if you’re not sure which test you need to take.

What’s the Link Between COPD and Osteoporosis?

At first glance, you might notice a lot of similarities between COPD and osteoporosis. Both conditions are more common in older adults, more common in women, and they can’t be cured. However, they’re both highly treatable. In other words, you’re at a higher risk of contracting COPD and osteoporosis based on your age and gender alone. But when you take a closer look, you’ll notice that there are many common side-effects of COPD that put you at a higher risk of osteoporosis in old age. 

According to a study published by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which included 14,828 subjects over the age of 45, there was an 8.5% prevalence of osteoporosis in non-COPD patients, but there was a prevalence of 16.9% in COPD patients. Let’s take a look at some of the side effects of COPD that may lead to osteoporosis.

A History of Smoking

Smoking is the most common preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking has countless systemic effects ranging from lung cancer to heart disease. Studies have also shown for decades that tobacco use has extremely adverse effects on bone health, not least of which is decreased bone density. According to UCI Health, there are several reasons why smoking is so bad for bone health. Firstly, it reduces the flow of blood to your bones by causing your blood vessels to constrict. This means your bones are being deprived of vital resources including osteoblasts, the bone-producing cells. Smoking has also been shown to hamper the resorption of calcium meaning it can’t be replaced in the bones.

There isn’t much to say about smoking and COPD that hasn’t already been said. According to the American Lung Association, about 85 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. What’s more, about 38 percent of people with COPD continue to smoke after receiving a diagnosis. It goes without saying that, if you’re a current smoker, the sooner you quit, the better. The respiratory effects of smoking are bad enough on their own, but when they’re combined with chronic pain and an increased risk of fractures, these issues are exacerbated.

Diet

Your body needs a large variety of vitamins and minerals in order to maintain every bodily function from digestion to blood flow. But when you develop a chronic condition, you often need to adjust your diet to accommodate for certain deficiencies that you may develop. In COPD and many other respiratory diseases, vitamin D deficiency is very common. Vitamin D is essential for everyone because it plays a vital role in helping your body absorb calcium which is the main support structure for your bones. Without it, your bones will become weak and brittle.

One of the main reasons respiratory patients are vitamin D deficient is that they oftentimes aren’t exposed to as much sunlight as their healthy counterparts. Sunlight is the most important natural source of vitamin D, but many COPD patients are immobilized by symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and chronic pain. One way to combat this is to simply sit by a window where you’re receiving direct sunlight. If you live in an area that doesn’t receive sunlight for prolonged parts of the year, you can supplement your diet with vitamin D-rich foods like oily fish, red meat, or egg yolks.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body mass index is derived from your body weight and height. Anything between a BMI of 18.5 and 24.9 is normal, but if you dip below this or go above it, it may be cause for concern. While the United States suffers from an obesity epidemic, COPD patients often suffer from the opposite problem — being underweight. According to the Lung Institute, COPD patients burn an average of 10 times as many calories while breathing as their healthy counterparts do. This is why many doctors recommend that COPD patients increase their caloric intake after being diagnosed. According to Healthline, about 25 to 40 percent of people with COPD have low body weight. 

Having a BMI under 21 is also a risk factor for low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. Studies have shown that BMI inversely correlates with BMD, so the lower your body weight is in comparison to your height, the more at risk you are for developing weak bones. As a COPD patient, the best thing you can do to prevent this is to ensure that you are eating enough and that you are following your doctor’s advice on what to eat. If you experience exhaustion from consuming large meals, try eating smaller meals all throughout the day in order to meet the calorie requirement that your doctor has set. This also helps your body out with digestion and prevents feelings of fatigue and bloating after eating.  

Physical Activity

Exercise is one of the key components of an effective COPD treatment regime. Exercise keeps the lungs strong and healthy, reducing symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain. Strong muscles also use oxygen more effectively meaning you’ll be able to stay out of the house and stay active longer without taking a break. And while exercise can’t reverse COPD, it can improve your life expectancy and quality of life. Be sure to discuss with your doctor which exercise program will be best for you. Most health specialists recommend pulmonary rehabilitation which involves lung education, strength training, and endurance training.

According to Orthoinfor.aaos.org, exercise affects bones similar to how it affects muscle — it makes it stronger. Bone is living tissue and when stress is applied to it, it reacts by building more tissue. So, it goes without saying that, by exercising regularly, you can keep your bones in good condition and prevent osteoporosis. Unfortunately, due to the respiratory symptoms of COPD, many people are left feeling unmotivated or unable to exercise, and in turn, their bone health begins to suffer. You should aim to exercise at least 3 to 4 times per week and since hip and spinal fractures are most common in osteoporosis, be sure to get on your feet and work your whole body, not just your arms. Exercise also strengthens your stabilizer muscles, helping to improve balance and prevent falls. 

COPD Medication

One final way that COPD affects your bones is through your medication. Your medication is a vital part of your treatment plan, but you have to be careful with it because, like any medication, it has both short- and long-term side effects. Most of the side effects should be listed on the container of the medication, but for more specific information, be sure to consult your doctor. The main COPD medication of concern when it comes to bone health is corticosteroids. These drugs are used by COPD patients to reduce inflammation which can prevent flare-ups and exacerbations. Corticosteroids are usually inhaled via an inhaler or nebulizer in order to reach the lungs more quickly.

The way that corticosteroids affect the bones is by altering the way the body uses vitamin D and calcium. Oftentimes, corticosteroids increase the rate at which bone breaks down and reduces its ability to absorb calcium. If corticosteroids are used heavily, this could lead to rapid bone deterioration, so it’s important to use them only as they’re prescribed. If you’re still concerned about bone loss even while taking the normal dosage, be sure to ask your doctor if there are any alternative medications that you can take without this side effect.  

Conclusion

COPD is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world. However, many people are unaware of the many systemic manifestations of this disease. About 36 to 60 percent of COPD patients have osteoporosis which is higher than the general population. The good news is that just a few lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing low bone mineral density and osteoporosis. Immediate smoking cessation, a revised diet, regular physical activity, and careful use of your COPD medication are just a few of the most important.  

If you’re a COPD patient who’s struggling to get on your feet and maintain an exercise routine, consider upgrading your obsolete oxygen device to a portable oxygen concentrator. POCs are much smaller and lighter than a standard oxygen tank meaning you won’t feel out of breath after a short walk. Portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One G5 and Caire FreeStyle Comfort have taken the oxygen industry by storm with a simple, easy-to-use interface, sleek design, and high oxygen output. If you’d like to learn more about these devices and all that they have to offer, don’t hesitate to reach out to our oxygen concentrator specialists here at LPT Medical.