Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) is a persistent lung disease that makes breathing hard. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but if you live a healthy lifestyle you can help prevent the progression of the disease. Here are the top things you can do to help prevent COPD:
1. Quit smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the most critical steps that you can take to prevent COPD and improve your overall health and wellness. When you smoke, you expose your lungs to a dangerous mix of toxic chemicals that can irritate and damage delicate lung tissue. Over time, this can lead to chronic inflammation and excessive mucus production, two key risk factors for developing the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking contributes to poor cardiovascular health and increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. With the right plan in place, it is possible to overcome the harmful effects of cigarettes and protect yourself against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years to come.
2. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
One of the important ways to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke contains many dangerous toxins that can irritate and damage the lungs, leading to inflammation, breathing difficulties and an increased risk of infection. Additionally, cases have shown that secondhand smoke raises our risk of developing the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, even for people who have never been smokers. To avoid secondhand smoke, don’t allow people to smoke in your home or workplace, limit time spent where smoking is allowed, and speak up if someone starts lighting up in a non-smoking area.
3. Protect yourself against chemicals dust and fumes
Protecting yourself from exposure to harmful chemicals, dust, and fumes is paramount if you’re at risk of developing COPD. One of the key ways to do this is to limit your exposure to pollution. For example, making an effort to avoid busy roads and highways whenever possible and wearing appropriate safety gear when working in environments where there is heavy or prolonged exposure to hazardous materials. This might include using a face mask or goggles when vacuuming or sweeping dust, wearing gloves when handling certain chemicals or paints, or wearing protective clothing when working at construction sites or with other potentially damaging materials.
4. Reduce stress
Increased stress and chronic anxiety also go hand in hand with more severe COPD symptoms. In particular, studies show that if you experience panic attacks that restrict breathing associated with stress, it can make COPD attacks very dangerous, which can cause increased use of medications and more trips to the ER. If you experience chronic stress and COPD, please talk to your physician about coping methods, such as mediation, massage, yoga, and professional counseling.
5. Herbal remedies for COPD
Several independent studies point to natural remedies—including herbs (i.e., ginseng and turmeric), essential oils (eucalyptus oil), and supplements (vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids), which can reduce both respiratory infections and act as natural anti-inflammatories.
Breathing problems can significantly reduce the quality of your life, but luckily you can do several things to improve lung function and prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Simple lifestyle changes such as avoiding tobacco smoke, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising can make a big difference. Doctors are key in addressing any concerns about breathing or lung function. With early diagnosis and treatment, you can take steps to slow the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and improve your quality of life.
