If you grew up hearing the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” then you’ve probably spent your life trying to eat healthy foods. However, “eating healthy” isn’t necessarily just about eating healthy food; it’s about getting the right balance of nutrients that your body needs.

If you eat an apple every morning, that’s great! Apples are perfect for a quick energy boost, they help with weight loss, and they’re a heart healthy snack. But they also lack many of the vitamins and minerals that lead to optimal health.

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Another thing many people don’t consider is that nutritional needs are different for everyone. Whereas everyone needs the same nutrients to stay healthy, diets need to be adjusted and adapted to each individual’s needs at any given time.

Although eating right may sound like a simple concept, it can be complicated by things like changing tastes as we age and medical conditions that affect the way food is processed in the body. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is just one condition that often has this effect on the body.

How COPD Affects Your Appetite and Sense of Taste

You may be wondering, “how can a disease that affects the lungs affect your appetite?” This is a valid question and one that can’t be answered easily. However, a good place to start is by remembering that everything you put in your body affects every aspect of your health in some way or another — whether directly or indirectly.

And when it comes to COPD specifically, your respiratory health is linked to your diet in one key way: metabolism. Metabolism is the process through which your body breaks down the food you eat and converts it into usable energy. Whether you’re at the gym exercising or you’re in bed sleeping, your body is always using energy, and thus your body always needs a source to draw energy from.

In the metabolic process, there are three main components that your body uses: the food and drink that you consume and the oxygen that you breathe. After consuming a food or drink, it goes to your stomach where it is broken down with digestive juices. The contents move to the small intestines which absorb the nutrients and transport them to your bloodstream.

Meanwhile, the air that you breathe passes over the alveoli in your lungs. A red blood cell protein called hemoglobin moves this oxygen into the bloodstream. Once these nutrients and oxygen are in the blood, it begins a process called cellular respiration where the oxygen breaks down glucose and stores energy in the cells. Nitrogenous wastes like CO₂  are also released through this process.

Because oxygen is such a crucial component in converting the food you eat into usable energy, a chronic lung condition like COPD can have an immense impact on your appetite, sense of taste, and general eating habits. Although the most common effect of COPD is weight loss, it can also lead to weight gain in some cases. 

Weight Loss in COPD Patients

In a country where 70 percent of people are classified as either overweight or obese, it may come as a surprise that some people suffer with the opposite problem — weight loss. However, according to the Lung Institute, an estimated 40 to 70 percent of COPD patients report losing weight unintentionally.

For a COPD patient, just the act of breathing takes significantly more effort than those without the condition. The Cleveland Clinic reports that breathing can burn up to 10 times as many calories for someone with COPD which can become more severe as the disease progresses. And without an increase in caloric intake, this will inevitably lead to weight loss.

Unintentional and rapid weight loss can be a serious problem and lead to symptoms like muscle loss, loss of energy, and an increased risk of injury and illness. You should visit a doctor regularly to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy weight and aren’t losing weight too quickly as a result of your respiratory condition. 

Pulmonary Cachexia

Although weight loss is generally perceived as a good thing for most people, not all weight loss is healthy, even in someone who may be considered overweight. Pulmonary cachexia is one side-effect of COPD that can lead to the unhealthy loss of both muscle and fat tissue. In severe cases, cachexia may result in the loss of a significant amount of muscle function.

Although the exact cause of cachexia is not known, studies have shown that intracellular mechanisms like myonuclear and protein turnover may be the primary cause. In other words, even people who eat enough and get all the proper nutrients through their diet may still experience a loss in body mass index (BMI). 

According to Physiology.org, cachexia is a common side-effect of COPD with about 20 to 40 percent of COPD patients affected. Although this condition occurs gradually in most people it’s likely accelerated during acute exacerbations, so it’s important to keep up with the treatment plan your doctor has set for you. 

Inflammation 

Inflammation in the lungs is the primary cause of COPD and potentially one of the leading causes of weight loss in COPD as well. Both emphysema and bronchitis — the two main types of COPD — result in inflammation in the lungs. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes which bring air to the alveoli. Emphysema on the other hand, is the result of inflammation on the alveoli, usually due to exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke.  

Studies have shown that 85 percent of people experience at least one digestive problem with COPD like bloating which can make it difficult to eat. Although there are a number of things that could potentially be causing this, many COPD patients suffer from hyperinflated lungs due to inflammation and too much air getting trapped in the lungs when breathing. This can put stress on the rib cage, diaphragm, and stomach, especially while eating. 

Hormonal Changes

The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and are responsible for a number of important roles in the body. First, and most importantly, they produce hormones that are essential for the normal function of your body. This includes things like regulating your body’s reaction to stress, regulation of blood pressure, and metabolism. There are a number of disorders that can result if the production of hormones is out of balance.

According to COPD News Today, inhaled corticosteroids used to treat COPD and asthma may be at fault for an increased risk of adrenal gland suppression. It’s often difficult to diagnose corticosteroid-induced adrenal suppression because the symptoms can vary widely from something as simple as tiredness to something as serious as a life-threatening illness. 

Fortunately, only a small number of people have experienced this issue with inhaled corticosteroids and COPD patients should not quit taking them before speaking with their doctor first. 

Anxiety

Anxiety can lead to complications when it comes to weight regulation. One of the primary characteristics of stress and anxiety is an increased release of adrenaline and cortisol in the body. This initiates the “fight or flight” response in your body that can increase your metabolism and cause you to lose weight more quickly. What’s more, anxiety can lead to decreased serotonin and dopamine (the feel good hormone) in the brain. This means you’ll likely feel less enjoyment from eating and you may avoid it as a result. 

It’s not uncommon for those coping with COPD to experience anxiety. As symptoms of breathlessness, coughing, and fatigue increase, it’s easy to feel trapped and uncomfortable in your own body. They also may feel stress about being reliant on a loved one for daily tasks or stressed about going somewhere that may cause an exacerbation. For more information on managing anxiety with COPD, read our blog titled COPD and Anxiety: How to Find Peace of Mind.

Weight Gain in COPD Patients

Although it’s significantly less common for someone with a chronic respiratory disease to experience weight gain, it is certainly possible and learning how to keep unnecessary weight off is just as important when it comes to preventing serious COPD exacerbations. 

One of the serious threats of being overweight with COPD is the increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to WebMD, more than half of people with OSA are either overweight or obese. Since sleep apnea causes disruptions in breathing at night, it can be a potentially life-threatening condition for someone who is also suffering with COPD. 

Inactivity

Possibly the most common cause of weight gain with COPD is inactivity. As COPD progresses, lung function is reduced significantly. Using a spirometry test, pulmonologists are able to determine both your forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and your forced vital capacity (FVC). Below are the levels of lung function you can expect with each stage of COPD.

• Mild COPD (grade 1) - 80 percent or higher FEV1

• Moderate COPD (grade 2) - 50 to 79 percent FEV1

• Severe COPD (grade 3) - 30 to 49 percent FEV1

• Very severe COPD (grade 4) - Under 30 percent FEV1

It goes without saying that as someone progresses through these stages of COPD, their ability to perform physical tasks will diminish. Many people find that they aren’t able to exercise or perform chores around the house like they used to. Fortunately, pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective method for reducing symptoms of COPD and helping people to regulate their weight more easily while coping with the condition.

Lifestyle Changes

Being diagnosed with COPD means making a lot of lifestyle changes that you may not be prepared to make. Although most people eventually adapt and adjust to a new way of life, some people may find it difficult to cope at first.

It’s easy to fall into bad habits like eating unhealthy food or skipping out on breathing exercises or pulmonary rehabilitation classes. However, these are likely all things that your doctor has recommended as part of your treatment plan and you should take care to follow them as best as possible. You might also be on a strict diet regimen that focuses on providing you with nutrients that you need to improve lung function and reduce COPD symptoms. Although it may seem different at first, stick with it until it becomes routine.

Steroids

Steroids are one of the many medications used to treat acute COPD exacerbations and can be either taken orally or inhaled. These steroids help to fight inflammation in the lungs, reduce swelling, and suppress the immune system so that your body doesn’t attack healthy cells. 

Unfortunately, these benefits don’t come without side-effects. Many people who take steroids for COPD experience an increased appetite, fluid retention, and a change in where the body stores fat. This added weight usually appears in the neck, abdomen, and face. And generally, the longer you’re on the steroid and the higher the dose, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms.

Fluid Retention

One thing many people don’t consider when it comes to weight gain is that much of it could be caused by increased fluid retention in their body. Fluid retention is when your body stores water instead of using it. This can be caused by a number of things like pain relievers, antidepressants, and other medications, but one of the most common causes of fluid retention is a high sodium diet and lack of exercise.

Loss of Taste Plays a Role in Weight Management

Aside from the risk factors above, loss of taste or taste dysfunctions can make it difficult to regulate weight and follow a strict dietary routine required for COPD treatment. There are a number of potential causes for this, however, most people tend to experience it more with age, after taking medication, and after smoking. And let’s face it, if you’re not enjoying the food that you’re eating, it’s going to be a lot less likely that you are able to continue eating it.

Medication

Prednisolone is a steroid that can be used to regulate inflammation, metabolism, mineral balance, and the immune system. It’s commonly prescribed by doctors to treat COPD symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, and breathlessness. However, some patients report experiencing a metallic taste in their mouth after taking it. 

Other drugs like inhaled corticosteroids used to treat asthma and COPD can leave a strange taste in your mouth after using them. Although the taste tends to go away after an hour or two, it can certainly have an impact on your diet, especially if you take medication right before eating. 

Age

Taste loss is natural as you age. Over time, taste buds will shrink and be less sensitive to food, especially salty, sweet, or bitter flavors. Since COPD is much more common in old age, it’s imperative that you avoid adding salt or sugar to the food that you eat. Sodium causes your body to retain water, leading to weight gain and increasing your chance of experiencing breathlessness and sleep apnea. Sugar, on the other hand, will also lead to weight gain and leave you feeling fatigued.

Before adding anything to your diet, you should speak with your doctor who may be able to recommend seasonings that won’t add any additional side effects. Also, be sure to look up recipes for low-sodium meals.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is just what it sounds like — dry mouth due to a lack of saliva production. COPD patients often experience dry mouth when undergoing oxygen therapy because the air that’s processed through their machine is not humidified. Having dry mouth frequently can lead to taste loss and difficulty eating.

Fortunately, there are solutions to this problem. Whether you’re using a CPAP machine for sleeping, a home oxygen concentrator, or a portable oxygen concentrator, you can purchase a humidifier that either attaches to the device or you can use a regular home humidifier. 

What You Can Do To Manage Your Weight

Weight management doesn’t just help you feel better, it’s crucial for preventing serious COPD exacerbations. If you’re overweight, you’ll be more likely to develop sleep apnea which can result in more exacerbations. On the other hand, if you’re underweight, you may start losing muscle mass rather than fat which makes it more difficult to breathe.

Routine Doctor Visits

The best way to manage your weight with COPD is to ensure that you always visit your doctor routinely. Unfortunately, visiting your doctor once a year is not enough for him/her to be able to notice what is actually causing the weight loss or weight gain, so you’ll need to see them regularly to make sure you’re on the right track.  

As we mentioned earlier, maintaining your weight isn’t just about eating right. Your doctor will need to adjust your diet regularly to ensure you’re getting the right nutrients.

Stay Active

It’s normal for someone with COPD to experience declining physical abilities, but in the grand scheme of things, any form of exercise you can manage will help, no matter how insignificant it may seem. 

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a type of exercise routine that’s designed specifically for those coping with a chronic respiratory condition. It teaches COPD patients the best way to exercise, what exercises benefit the lungs the most, as well as breathing exercises that will help you feel less fatigued. Not only will pulmonary rehabilitation help you keep off unnecessary weight but it can help you retain your muscle mass.

Reduce Salt Intake

The average American diet is very high in salt which is known to increase blood pressure and cause weight gain, especially through water retention. Although it’s healthy to have some sodium in your diet, it’s best to get it naturally through your food rather than through added salt. Since your sense of taste tends to decline with age, you should try to avoid adding additional salt to every meal and use other seasonings to add flavor instead. 

Oxygen Therapy

One of the most effective and common treatment options for COPD is oxygen therapy. And the good news is that keeping up with your oxygen therapy treatment will also help you manage your weight. Like we mentioned before, taking a breath can burn as much as 10 times as many calories for someone with a chronic respiratory disease. However, when you use an oxygen therapy device you won’t be exerting any extra energy to breathe.

If you are on the go frequently and want an oxygen therapy device to match that lifestyle, portable oxygen concentrators will help you achieve that. Since oxygen concentrators draw ambient air, you won’t need to carry a heavy and bulky oxygen tank around with you.

Ask For Help

After being diagnosed with a condition like COPD, there’s always the question of how much independence you should maintain. Independence can be great for self-esteem and to help you lead a more fulfilling life. However, simultaneously, you should never be afraid to ask for help when you need it. 

Chances are, you know what it takes to maintain a healthy weight, but if you don’t have the energy to cook like you used to or maintain a healthy lifestyle, you may find it more difficult to manage your weight. A little help from a friend or a loved one can go a long way towards improving your health and you’ll become closer in your relationship as a result.

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Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy weight while coping with COPD isn’t all about your diet. There are a number of complications that COPD patients need to deal with in order to avoid unintentional weight loss or weight gain. While a healthy diet should be the foundation of your COPD treatment plan, you should take into consideration all of the above in order to achieve optimal results.

While it’s great to make changes to your routine in order to improve your health, it’s best to consult a doctor or pulmonary specialist first. What may be beneficial for one person could be detrimental for another and having a clear treatment plan to follow is key to your success.

We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be burnt out on something. Whether it’s your job, chores, or health routine, it’s not always easy to find a way to stay on track to meet your goals. What complicates this even further is that everyone experiences this for a different reason. For some people, it’s just a matter of learning how to stick to a routine, but for others, it could be a lack of mental or physical energy that’s holding them back.

Oftentimes, when people are trying to stick to a COPD treatment plan, the latter is true. After all, fatigue is the second most common symptom of COPD with about 50% of patients experiencing it. Knowing this information, it’s not hard to see why it can be difficult to stick to a routine. If you’re hit with a sudden wave of fatigue, grogginess, or breathlessness, it can make simple tasks seem overwhelming. Eventually, your health goals will seem unattainable and unrealistic.

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In this post, we’re going to provide you with some tips for having a fresh perspective on your COPD treatment plan. Regardless of the stage of COPD that you’re in, it’s never too early or too late to hit the reset button and start managing your COPD symptoms proactively. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below and we’ll get back to you.

Change Up Your Exercise Routine

As a COPD patient, you know how important your exercise routine is. While exercise does not magically reverse the effects of lung damage, it improves the efficiency of your body and lungs which inevitably leads to less breathlessness, less chronic pain, and a longer life expectancy. But you know as well as anyone that exercise routines are difficult to stick to, especially if you viewed it as a “chore” in the first place.

More often than not, COPD patients are taught how to exercise through a pulmonary rehabilitation program. These programs are aimed at educating patients about their lungs and disease, then applying exercise techniques that allow them to lead a happier life. Unfortunately, pulmonary rehabilitation programs don’t teach you how to make your exercise routine “interesting” or “engaging.” They simply tell you what needs to be done. As a result, many people find themselves in a situation a year or two down the road where they don’t have the motivation to continue.

At some point, you’re going to want to try new exercises that hold your interest. The important thing to remember is that you still need to follow the guidelines that you learned in pulmonary rehabilitation because this will ensure that you are making the most of your time and avoid injury. For example, if you implement a new exercise, you need to make sure it works the same muscle group and that it’s a similar intensity as your original exercise. If you have any doubts about it, you can always reach out to your doctor with any questions you may have.

Make Adjustments to Your Diet

What you eat also has a major impact on your ability to live a comfortable life with COPD. Unfortunately, your diet is also something that can become mundane if you’re eating the same things every day. Like with exercising, it’s okay to make changes to your diet, you just need to make sure that you’re getting the right nutrients. You also need to ensure that you aren’t increasing or decreasing your caloric intake too much. According to the COPD Foundation, breathing with COPD takes more energy than for a healthy individual, so you need to maintain your caloric intake.

Most COPD patients need a high protein intake. Protein plays an essential role in the structure, function, and regulation of body tissues. Most notably, protein helps you build muscle and counteract muscle atrophy which is common in COPD patients. Maintaining muscle mass is important for respiratory patients because strong muscles take less oxygen to function, thus reducing the burden on your lungs. While you probably get most of your protein through meat, there are many other great sources of protein, including but not limited to fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and beans.

You might think of fats as being “unhealthy.” But you may be surprised to find that many COPD patients are prescribed high-fat diets. The problem is that many people don’t know the difference between healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Unhealthy fats like saturated fat or trans fat include things like beef or pork fat, margarine, butter, and shortening. Eating too many of these things can lead to increased blood cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol levels. Healthy fats, on the other hand, like monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats include avocados, olives, nuts, olive oil, and more. Fatty fish like salmon is also a great source of healthy fats like omega-3.

While it may seem like COPD diets are pretty restricted, this is not necessarily the case. It’s important to avoid foods that are high in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. However, aside from that, you simply need to meet your minimum caloric intake for the day and any other requirements that your doctor sets. You still have plenty of freedom to choose what you eat and switching up your meals can even keep you on track for meeting your goals by preventing burnout. 

Upgrade to a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

After being prescribed oxygen, many people choose the first oxygen device they think of — oxygen tanks. Most people know about oxygen tanks and they’ve seen people use them. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best option for you and your lifestyle. Although oxygen tanks are a popular choice, they tend to be heavy and bulky meaning they are difficult to maneuver. Fortunately, there is an alternative known as portable oxygen concentrators.

A portable oxygen concentrator is unlike an oxygen tank in that it doesn’t hold oxygen within the unit. Rather, it takes in ambient air, removes nitrogen and argon, and puts out medical-grade oxygen. POCs are electronic devices and they run off of powerful lithium-ion batteries, so you simply need to charge the battery via a car or wall outlet and you’ll be on your way. The most notable benefit of this is that you won’t have to keep going out of your way to refill or replace your oxygen tanks when they run out.

Another benefit of portable oxygen concentrators is their lightweight and compact design. Unlike oxygen tanks which are oblong-shaped, POCs are small enough and light enough to be carried on your shoulder. This opens up a world of possibilities and enables you the freedom to live life on your own terms without being defined by your disease. Inevitably, this leads to more options for you and a lower chance of experiencing burnout with your COPD treatment plan. 

Reduce the Clutter

Sometimes it’s not our COPD treatment plan itself that’s causing us to feel burnt out, but all the extra clutter around us. The term “clutter” can be defined as anything that complicates our lives and occupies our thoughts but doesn’t provide any real benefit to us. If you live with clutter too long it can really start to become exhausting and you’ll notice yourself losing motivation in other areas of life such as your exercise routine, diet, and making it to doctor’s visits.

For some people, this might imply clutter within the home. For example, having a messy bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen can lead to a lot of discomfort in your daily life, and as a result, you might find yourself too distracted to follow your COPD treatment plan. Eliminating physical clutter like this is as simple as taking the time each day to organize your home and avoid getting to the point where it’s too much to manage. If you’re too busy to clean, you might consider hiring a caretaker who can help out around the home.

Another type of clutter is “mental clutter.” Think of this as the opposite of mental clarity. Instead of being able to concentrate on what you’re doing in the current moment, your thoughts are always wandering to something else. Mental clutter can certainly be caused by things like a messy home, but it’s more likely to be caused by something that takes your focus off of what you’re doing in the present moment. For example, watching the news for too long or spending too much time on social media are both things that can take your focus off the present moment. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one way of dealing with problems related to mental clarity. This is a type of therapy that’s focused on reversing negative or unproductive thought processes. CBT has become very common among people with chronic conditions like COPD as awareness around mental health problems has increased. During CBT, you will work one-on-one with a certified therapist who will guide you through the process.  

Practice Meditation

Meditation comes in many different forms. However, in most cases, the goal is always to achieve a state of mental clarity and well-being. Meditation helps train your mind to think clearly and without distractions. It also promotes emotional well-being while reducing anxiety and in some cases even improving physical well-being. By far the most popular form of meditation for COPD patients is Tai Chi. This practice combines traditional meditation principles with martial arts. It’s popular for COPD patients because it teaches you to control your thoughts, breathing, and balance, all of which are important if you’re trying to improve your health. Read through this post we made about Tai Chi to learn more.

Speak With Your Doctor

Your doctor should be your first point of contact when it comes to anything related to your COPD treatment plan. If you know that you need to make changes, your doctor will be able to tell you what changes are acceptable and which are not. He/she may also be able to provide you with additional resources or direct you to another specialist who can help you deal with issues related to COPD burnout and fatigue. Sometimes burnout is due to poor sleep quality, so he/she may recommend that you get tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep disorders.

Another change your doctor may be able to do is make changes to your medication routine. Corticosteroids are one of the most common drugs used to treat COPD because they reduce inflammation in the lungs. However, these drugs are also known to have adverse psychiatric effects such as mania, depression, and cognitive impairments, all of which can contribute to burnout and a negative outlook of your disease. Your doctor may be able to reduce your dosage or prescribe you a different medication altogether.

Conclusion

Being “burnt out” on your COPD routine can be exhausting. On one hand, you may be tempted to revert to your old way of living and entirely forget about your COPD treatment plan. However, on the other hand, you understand that the best way to deal with the symptoms of your disease is through persistence and consistency. If you feel like you’ve reached this point, be sure to try some of the tips above to get back on track.

Ultimately, you will want to consult your doctor if you’re struggling to keep up with your treatment plan. It’s not unusual for someone to struggle, especially if they’ve had COPD for many years. Here at LPT Medical, we strongly believe that a portable oxygen concentrator can help you regain much of the freedom that you lost after being diagnosed with COPD. As a result, you’ll be able to approach your treatment plan from more angles and prevent burnout.

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We sell some of the top-rated portable oxygen concentrators in the industry such as the Caire FreeStyle Comfort, Inogen One G5, and the GCE Zen-O Lite. When you contact one of our oxygen concentrator specialists, they will work with you one-on-one to understand your needs and align you with a concentrator that matches them. We also have many different buying and financing options to help you manage payments in a way that works with your budget. To get started, simply give us a call or send us an email. 

If you’ve already read our blog on treating and overcoming sleep apnea, you know that sleep apnea is a common disorder with potentially serious implications. While sleep apnea symptoms may seem mild at first, over time, obstructive sleep apnea may eventually lead to increased blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, depression, and more. 

But when sleep apnea is combined with other conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , it’s often a two-way road. According to a new study called Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD), sleep disruptions — like those experienced in sleep apnea — could lead to a greater risk of long-term COPD exacerbations. 

Led by researchers at Montreal’s McGill University, this ongoing study aims to analyze over 2,000 Canadians with mild to severe COPD. Whereas previous trials have shown that COPD symptoms may lead to sleep disturbances, this study will help medical professionals better understand the characteristics of COPD and how they’re affected by a poor night’s sleep. 

Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and negative binomial regression, the team observed data from 480 participants over an 18-month assessment period. During this time, 185 of the participants experienced at least one exacerbation and 203 had a baseline PSQI score over five, indicating that the participant had a poor night’s sleep. The study also concluded that both symptom- and event-based exacerbation risks were associated with a higher PSQI score.

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What We Can Take Away From The Study

When it comes to other major causes of death like cancer and heart disease, COPD awareness remains low both in the United States and around the world. Studies on COPD are often overshadowed by discussions about lung cancer and other respiratory conditions. However, this study may help bring some much-needed awareness to a condition that so many people suffer with.

Unlike acute illnesses, chronic conditions like COPD progress slowly and oftentimes without any cause for concern. You may have started to develop COPD years ago but brushed off your symptoms as “getting old” or “being out of shape.” This study reaffirms the importance of getting checked regularly for both healthy lung function and sleep quality.

Sleep Quality Matters

It’s easy to dismiss a bad night’s sleep as unimportant or insignificant, but when this issue persists, it’s almost always linked to an underlying condition. And even when it isn’t, feelings of restlessness and chronic fatigue can have an impact on the severity and frequency of your COPD symptoms and exacerbations. What’s more, if you’re sleepy frequently, it will make it significantly more difficult to deal with the daily struggles of managing COPD. 

As such, it’s important to take all necessary precautions to ensure that you sleep well and aren’t disturbed. First and foremost, you should make sure that you get an adequate amount of sleep each night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between the ages of 24 and 64 should get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep and anyone older than 65 should get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Let’s take a look at some tips for getting a better night’s sleep.

Sleep-Wake-Time Consistency

Researchers have studied sleep extensively and one of the most common rules they stress is creating a sleep routine and sticking with it. Many people will tell you that you need to get up as early as possible and that staying up late is a problem. But in reality, you simply want to pick a schedule and follow it every day of the week.

Avoiding Screens Before Bed

Technology helps us all lead more productive lives and has allowed us to learn more about the world than any other time in human history. But staring at a screen right before bed may have the opposite effect. According to the National Sleep Foundation, using electronics before bed delays the circadian rhythm in your body and slows the release of melatonin (the sleep-inducing hormone in the brain) making it harder to fall asleep when you need to. 

Calcium and Magnesium Levels

Magnesium is an essential mineral that’s responsible for 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It’s one of the most important minerals in the body, helping to maintain a healthy immune system, strong bones, and muscle function. And if there isn’t enough magnesium in the body to absorb calcium, it can lead to weak bones and digestion problems. Additionally, calcium is responsible for tightening and tensing muscles and nerves while magnesium calms and relaxes them. So, having this balance is essential for deep and restful sleep.

Some foods high in magnesium include:

• Whole wheat
• Spinach
• Quinoa
• Peanuts, cashews, and almonds
• Dark chocolate
• Black beans
• And avocado

Functioning Adrenal System

A well-functioning adrenal system is essential to good sleep and overall well-being. The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney and produce hormones that your body needs. In a healthy body, these hormones help manage stress, regulate metabolism, control blood pressure, and more. However, there are a variety of disorders that can negatively affect the adrenal glands resulting in an adrenal deficiency. Junk food, sugar, and caffeine are known to reduce adrenal function making you feel groggy and restless after waking up.

Blood Sugar Levels

In what is often a vicious cycle, blood sugar levels affect your sleep, and poor sleep affects your blood sugar as well. Blood sugar is regulated by what you eat and when you eat it. While it’s not a good idea to eat a heavy meal late in the day, eating too early and then not eating all evening can cause a dip in blood sugar in the middle of the night. Low blood sugar can cause you to wake with a headache or feel out of sorts, making it difficult to go back to sleep. 

On the other hand, if your blood sugar is too high, your body is likely to try to rid itself of excess sugar through the kidneys causing you to wake up to use the bathroom. Many people who are trying to lose weight feel that bedtime snacks add unnecessary calories but weight loss isn’t just about calorie counting. In order to maintain a healthy metabolism, good sleep, hormone regulation, and stable blood sugar are essential.

Awareness Is Key

Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, eating right, and avoiding sugar and caffeine before bed are all great habits to get into, but without being tested, it’s difficult to diagnose and treat any sleep disorder you may be struggling with. If you have COPD, you should speak with your doctor about having both a sleep study and an exercise test.

Sleep Studies

The easiest way to detect sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders early on is through a sleep study. Also known as a polysomnogram, a sleep study is a non-invasive procedure doctors use to analyze sleep patterns, heart rate, and brain activity in order to diagnose sleep disorders. Aside from sleep apnea, these disorders include narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and more.

No matter whether you have bronchitis, emphysema, or any other lung condition, a sleep test will provide both you and your doctor with critically important information about your body, mind, and overall health. Using the test results and your medical history, your doctor will be able to narrow down the source of your sleep disruptions and determine if any actions need to be taken on your part to get a better night’s sleep.

Exercise Tests

Similar to how a sleep study will reveal crucial information about your breathing patterns while you sleep, an exercise test is useful for monitoring how your lungs function while undergoing physical exertion. If you have COPD, an exercise test will reveal the condition's effects on your physical abilities and help your doctor set up an exercise routine that’s right for you. 

There are two main types of exercise test: laboratory tests and field walking tests. Patients who already have a chronic pulmonary condition may opt for a field walking test because they are able to stop and take a break, whereas laboratory tests are usually better for someone who still retains most of their physical abilities. Some exercise tests include the 6-minute walk test, the incremental shuttle walk test, the endurance shuttle walk test, and the cardio-pulmonary test. Your doctor will help you determine which one is best for you.

When used in tandem with a sleep study and your medical history, an exercise test will provide your doctor with a wide range of information about your overall health. For example, if your doctor discovers disruptions in your sleep pattern, he/she may be able to link it to an issue you experience while exercising or vise versa. This will make it easier to create a treatment plan that’s best for you.

Sleep Affects Your Overall Health

One of the major mistakes people make when approaching an issue like sleep apnea or sleep deprivation is that they treat it as an isolated issue. These people assume that the fatigue or restlessness that they feel is the extent of the effect it’s having on their bodies. Unfortunately, as the study suggests, this is not the case.

Aside from short-term symptoms like decreased performance and alertness, long-term sleep deprivation can put you at a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and more. Chronic sleep deprivation can also significantly reduce your quality of life and put a strain on your relationships.

You’re at a Higher Risk With COPD

Above all, this study shows us that you’re at a higher risk of experiencing and being hospitalized for COPD exacerbations when you get poor sleep. Whether you’re suffering from chronic sleep apnea or you’re experiencing poor sleep due to anxiety or depression, you should take these issues seriously in order to avoid respiratory complications.

Most people tend to think of COPD exacerbation triggers as air pollutants and irritants or sicknesses like the flu or the common cold. However, according to the study, the quality of sleep you get also has an impact on when exacerbations occur and how severe they are. While COPD is manageable on its own, frequent exacerbations can take a serious toll on your health and can even be fatal. 

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Sleeping Disorders That Can Cause Exacerbations

Unfortunately, it’s not just poor sleep quality that increases your risk of exacerbations; sleeping disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia can also play a role while simultaneously contributing to poor sleep. Many people who have a sleeping disorder are never diagnosed because they either don’t realize they have a problem or they believe nothing can be done.

Like maintaining healthy sleep habits, diagnosing and treating sleep disorders starts with awareness. Sleep constitutes a third of our lives. And during this time, many important processes occur that are necessary for us to lead happy and healthy lives. Sure, preventing that grogginess and sleepiness when you wake up is part of it, but sleep is vital for the rest of the body as well.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your immune system is affected by lack of sleep. Proteins called cytokines are released by the immune system when your body is experiencing inflammation, stress, or infection. However, less cytokines are produced when you’re deprived of sleep. What’s more, cells and antibodies that fight infection are reduced when you don’t get enough sleep. 

As a COPD patient, getting sick could lead to a serious flare up in your symptoms and even result in exacerbations due to increased mucus production and difficulty breathing. We’re going to take a look at just a few of the most common sleep disorders so that you know when to seek help.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by disrupted breathing while sleeping. There are three main types of sleep apnea that you should be aware of. 

• Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common forms of the condition and it results when throat muscles relax and block your airways.
• Central sleep apnea is the result of the muscles that control breathing not receiving proper signals from your brain.
• Complex sleep apnea is the result of having both these conditions simultaneously.

As you can imagine, these two disorders are treated in very different ways. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are one of the most common treatment methods for obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike a normal in-home oxygen therapy device, a CPAP machine is designed to blow at a pressure that will keep your airways open and free of obstruction while you sleep. When the device is on, it creates a cushion along the upper airway preventing the tongue, uvula, and soft palate from interfering with the airway.  

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When it comes to central sleep apnea, medication is often the only effective solution. Medication like theophylline or acetazolamide are used to stimulate breathing while you sleep. And if you’re on any opioid medications, your doctor may take you off these to prevent any complications.

Insomnia

Insomnia is another common sleep disorder affecting around 60 million Americans. Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep or feeling dissatisfied with the quality of sleep that you do get. Many people who have insomnia are unable to fall asleep even when they’re tired and often wake up feeling groggy, fatigued, and unable to concentrate.

Depending on what is causing the insomnia, both medical and non-medical treatment methods may be used. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, and group therapy may be beneficial non-pharmacological treatments while relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and changes to your sleep schedule may help as well. Medication for insomnia includes both benzodiazepine sedatives and non-benzodiazepine sedatives. 

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that results in an irregular regulation of sleep and wakefulness. Someone with narcolepsy may fall asleep frequently during the day and may feel sudden muscle weakness as well during any type of activity. People who experience narcolepsy may also have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at night due to their circadian rhythm being disrupted during the day. Although this disorder usually starts at a young age, it often goes undiagnosed in many people. 

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

RLS results in unpleasant feelings in the legs such as aches, tingling, burning, or general discomfort. It’s considered a neurological movement disorder and is commonly associated with periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS), which is a similar condition that occurs while the person is asleep. For some people, this condition doesn’t have a significant impact on their ability to get a restful night’s sleep. However, restless leg syndrome almost always does.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

We’ve talked before about the importance of the circadian rhythm in managing your sleep-wake cycle and getting a good night’s sleep. And in a circadian rhythm disorder, a person’s biological clock is out of sync, especially when it comes to external time cues like the natural dark-light cycle.

Although your sleep cycle will never be completely in sync with external cues, someone with these disorders may feel completely restless and sleepy in the middle of the day and wide awake at night making it difficult to find a sleep schedule that works for them. These disorders may eventually lead to insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness).

What You Can Do To Avoid COPD Exacerbations

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Now that you understand how poor sleep quality and sleep disorders can lead to COPD exacerbations, you need to know exactly what steps you should take to avoid complications. While chronic sleep disorders and general sleepiness are dangerous on their own, for someone with COPD, they could lead to a life-threatening exacerbation. Fortunately, you don’t have to leave anything up to chance when it comes to your health and you can get started right away improving your sleep quality. Simply follow the steps below.

1.) Make A List of Your Symptoms

As you’re probably well aware, living with COPD or any chronic illness can be challenging. You may be following a strict diet, exercise routine, sleep schedule, and work schedule. And it’s easy to get confused as to what you should be doing and when. As such, the more you can write down on paper, the better.

One reason to make a physical list is because you may forget when it comes time to see your doctor. COPD has a long list of symptoms and most people with the condition experience them all at one point or another. The more information you have about what symptoms you’re experiencing and when, the better you and your doctor will be able to pinpoint what’s causing the exacerbation. On your list, be sure to thoroughly describe what symptoms you experienced, the date, the time, as well as details about your sleep schedule and sleep quality.

2.) Visit A Doctor

The second step in this process is to visit a doctor. As aforementioned, awareness is key when it comes to being able to effectively treat sleep disorders and COPD symptoms. If there’s any information about your symptoms that your doctor isn’t aware of, he/she may not be able to treat them effectively. Since COPD exacerbations are linked to your diet, sleep patterns, and overall health, you should try to provide a thorough overview of your symptoms.

3.) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions   

Chances are, you’re going to have a few questions about your symptoms and how your sleep quality may be affecting them — don’t hesitate to ask them. Although doctors have your best interest in mind, they aren’t infallible. There’s a chance they may have overlooked something when coming up with your treatment plan. And it’s important for you to understand your condition as well as possible after leaving the exam room.

For example, if you’re curious about sleep studies, exercise tests, or medication that you heard about online, it never hurts to ask your doctor if they might be a viable option. The worst that can happen is they suggest a better option and you become more educated about the condition you’re coping with.

Conclusion

For better or for worse, the quality of sleep you get at night affects the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations you experience. Conversely, COPD symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing may prevent you from achieving a good night’s sleep. Understanding this two-way relationship is the first step in learning how to overcome it and live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Although you will likely always experience some COPD symptoms, you can avoid exacerbations by making some simple lifestyle changes and being open and honest with your doctor. Additionally, taking the time to educate yourself on what triggers exacerbations will make it easier to manage the condition on a daily basis. 

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