Many people who have been diagnosed with COPD are wondering whether this condition can be reversed. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disorder which blocks the airways and makes it difficult for a person to breathe. In fact, around 30 million Americans suffer from this condition.
What’s surprising is that half of the people who have COPD aren’t even aware that they have this condition. That’s why is crucial to know the most common symptoms of this lung disease, which include:
- decreased ability to exercise
- a nagging cough
- shortness of breath
- frequent respiratory infections
Although COPD can’t be reversed, its symptoms can be treated. Learn how your lifestyle choices can affect your quality of life and your outlook.
Can I Reverse COPD If I Stop Smoking?
In 85-90 percent of cases, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is caused by smoking. Hence, if the reason for this lung disorder is smoking, you should definitely quit smoking as soon as possible. By doing this you’ll slow the progression of the condition and help your body be more receptive to treatment.
Additionally, as soon as you stop smoking, the inflammation of your respiratory tract will be decreased and the immune system will be boosted. According to experts, smoking increases the risk of bacterial and viral respiratory infections. People with COPD are prone to such infections, especially pneumonia. That’s why when people quit smoking, there were significant improvements.
Many people find it challenging to quit smoking. Nevertheless, there are several ways which can help you achieve this goal. Thus, you can try over-the-counter nicotine alternatives, like the patch or gum and prescription medications.
When it comes to this lung disorder, alongside avoiding cigarette smoke, you should also avoid any environmental factors, such as pet hair and dander, dust, and air pollution.
Can I Reverse COPD with Exercise?
Doing exercise is extremely beneficial for your overall health, as well as, for COPD. However, it’s important to note that doing regular physical exercise can’t reverse this lung disorder. People who live with this lung disease experience shortness of breath when performing some simple tasks. However, if you choose not to do any exercise, your muscles will become weak and your heart and lungs will become less tolerant of activity. Thus, it can be quite challenging to do some exercise.
Hence, being constantly active is crucial for this condition. It might be challenging at the beginning, but it will get easier over time. Some of the best exercises if you have COPD include:
- walking
- using a stationary bike
- alternating sitting to standing repeatedly
- using hand weights
- learning breathing exercises
If you do these exercises on a regular basis, you’ll probably experience the benefits like better circulation, improved breathing, strengthened muscles, relief from joint discomfort, ease tension, and increased stamina.
Make sure you gradually increase your time and effort spent exercising. It might be best if you do exercise 3-4 times a week for about 10-15 minutes.
The Progression of COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic disease whose progression can slow down over time. However, the symptoms of the condition will eventually worsen. There are several stages of COPD and knowing each stage helps you understand the disease better and choose the best treatment.
Gold staging
The Gold staging is based on your FEV1 value, which is the amount of air you can force from your lungs in one second.
- GOLD stage 1: defined as mild COPD where your forced lung function is at least 80 percent of what’s expected.
- GOLD stage 2: the disease has progressed to moderate COPD and your forced lung function is 50 to 79 percent of what’s expected.
- GOLD stage 3: defined as severe COPD and your forced lung function is 30 to 49 percent of what’s expected.
- GOLD stage 4: the most severe stage of COPD where your forced lung function is less than 30 percent of what’s expected.
In a nutshell, if you want to slow down the progression of COPD, you should immediately stop smoking and limit your exposure to other harmful irritants. Additionally, consuming a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help boost your immune system and build up your endurance.