Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to describe a group of progressive lung diseases. These include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory asthma. A progressive illness, COPD takes years to develop, and if you have certain risk factors for it, you are more likely to develop this illness as you age.

Some symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, coughing up mucus, wheezing, chest pain, and inability to be active because of shortness of breath.

While a person may have experienced some of these symptoms at some point of time, it does not always imply the presence of COPD. If the symptoms persist for a long time, then it is advisable to seek professional help.

A treatment to cure COPD has not yet been found. But with the right diagnosis and medication, it is a disease that can be controlled and managed without affecting your lifestyle significantly. Out of many preventive measures, eating the right food is crucial to avoid triggering a COPD attack.

Why is food important for someone suffering from a respiratory illness?
This is because food is fuel, and this fuel is used for all activities, including breathing. A healthy diet ensures sufficient supply of fuel while making sure that carbon dioxide (a waste product) is not produced in excess, thus making your breathing less tedious. Adding the below-mentioned foods in your diet will give you that much-needed fuel, helping you manage COPD symptoms.

Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral for the functioning of the body. Research suggests that a high potassium intake can reduce the risk of overall mortality by around 20 percent. It is advised that adults consume 4700 milligrams of potassium in a day, but fewer than 2 percent of people in the country actually consume the required amount. Low potassium intake can make you feel weak and lethargic, and a deficiency can lead to respiratory failure. Some foods that have high potassium content are beet greens, white beans, soybeans, lima beans, bananas, oranges, avocados, dark leafy greens, potatoes, asparagus, and tomatoes.

Colorful fruits and vegetables
Colorful fruits and vegetables are important because they indicate the presence of phytochemicals. The phytochemicals help in reducing cell damage in the body. Some superfoods in this category are berries, pineapples, grapes, cherries, apricots, pears, watermelon, cantaloupe, beans, corn, winter squash, cooked tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and leafy greens.

Cruciferous vegetables can cause gas in some people. You may want to avoid too much of those, as they may irritate your internal organs. You may consult with your doctor about what kind of vegetables are acceptable to your condition.

High-calorie foods
Sufficient calorie intake is a challenge for some of those suffering from COPD, and this may affect overall nutrition. To keep your health in check, and to get holistic nutritional benefits, you can snack on nuts to fulfill your calorie intake.

Nuts are an overall superfood due to its many health benefits, and they are easy to consume throughout the day. There are some that make for a great spread for your whole grain bread, like peanut butter or almond butter. You can experiment with some recipes, and keep your diet enjoyable.

Every individual responds differently to a diet, so it would be wise to consult your doctor if you are making any major changes. For someone suffering from COPD, it is also important to keep a watch on weight, as it tires the body easily and can make breathing difficult. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain the circulation in the body, and avoid caffeine.

If you maintain a healthy diet and take proper steps with it, COPD is a manageable illness and should not hinder your daily activities.