Respiratory Disease

Airflow into and out of the lungs is restricted in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Shortness of breath is a common symptom of the disorder, and sufferers may find it difficult to exercise and do daily tasks.

Although there is no treatment for COPD, there are a number of home remedies that can help free up the airways and enhance a person's quality of life.

COPD treatment at home

The following natural treatments and home cures can help COPD sufferers manage their symptoms and reduce disease progression:

Quit smoking

In the United States, smoking is the main cause of COPD, accounting for around 90% of COPD-related fatalities.

Tobacco smoke causes irritation of the lungs' airways. The airways narrow due to inflammation and blockage, making it harder for air to move in and out.

People with COPD who smoke had a faster deterioration in lung function, more comorbidities, and a higher risk of mortality, according to a recent review.

Quitting smoking is the most effective way for someone with COPD to slow down the disease's progression. People can seek assistance from a doctor or go to smokefree.gov for step-by-step instructions on how to quit smoking.

Improve indoor air quality

For those with COPD, several irritants in the home might make breathing more difficult. Irritating substances include:

varnishes and paints
cleaning goods with chemicals
tobacco
smoke
dust
pet dander
insecticides

People can improve the air quality in their homes by doing the following:

reducing exposure to common household contaminants
vacuuming and eliminating clutter to prevent dust from building up
Wash bedsheets
using an air filtration system
having air filtration systems cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of hazardous mould and mildew

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises attempt to treat COPD symptoms by strengthening the muscles used to take breaths and increasing one's ability to exercise.

Breathing exercises included:

Breathing with a pursed-lip - When a person inhales via their nose and exhales through firmly pursed lips, this is called snoring.
Breathing from the diaphragm - This entails constricting the diaphragm to allow for deeper breathing. When you breathe in, your tummy swells, and when you breathe out, it deflates.
Pranayama is a breathing technique used in yoga that includes controlled breathing. Pranayama entails focusing on the parts of the body that are engaged in breathing.

Control and reduce stress levels

Emotional stress might impair the immune system and make COPD flare-ups more likely. COPD can induce symptom flare-ups, often known as exacerbations. Anxiety and melancholy can make flare-ups more likely. Stress management techniques will improve your overall health. Reduce stress and control your stress level.

Weight management

People with COPD who are underweight have a higher mortality risk than people with COPD who are overweight. Obesity's impact on COPD prognosis is still being investigated by researchers. Have a well-balanced diet.

COPD patients who are overweight are more prone to develop:

reduced ability to exercise
respiratory muscle-weakening
reduced lung capacity

Strengthen your muscles

COPD makes it tough to exercise since breathing becomes more difficult. Avoiding exercise, on the other hand, might exacerbate symptoms like muscle weakness and exhaustion.

COPD patients may benefit from the following workouts to improve muscular strength and exercise capacity:

Training with intervals - This involves alternating high- and low-intensity workout intervals. Interval training is beneficial for those with severe COPD because it works muscles while not overworking the heart and lungs.
Strengthening exercises - This practice increases muscle size and strength by using resistance methods such as weights, resistance bands, and a person's own body weight. Shortness of breath can be improved by strengthening the muscles in the lower body.
When a person loses fitness, exercise becomes more difficult, and lung function may deteriorate. For the best results, people should begin an exercise routine as soon as possible.

Exercises with water

COPD patients may have muscular or bone problems that make exercising more challenging. Water workouts are easier and more bearable for those with COPD since they put less stress on the body.

COPD dietary supplements - By decreasing inflammation and reducing symptoms, a variety of vitamins can help reduce COPD symptoms. COPD supplements include:

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency can cause airway irritation and impair the body's capacity to eliminate germs.

Creatine and coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and creatine are two natural substances that help the body's cells get energy.

Aromatherapy oils

Essential oils can also be used to clear mucus from the lungs and free up the airways. Essential oils can be diffused or applied to the skin after being diluted in a carrier oil. COPD essential oils include:

Eucalyptus essential oil - Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol, a natural chemical. The person having issues with COPD has advantages from eucalyptol due to following reasons:

possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
and opens up the lungs' airways, which helps clear mucus from the lungs and prevents flare-ups in moderate to severe COPD.

Take Away

COPD is a chronic illness that can be challenging to treat. Exercises, breathing methods, dietary supplements, and essential oils are among the home remedies that can help people minimise their symptoms. A person should see their doctor if their COPD symptoms worsen.