COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
7 Tips to Avoiding Shortness of Breath When Eating
By Deborah Leader, RN,
While shortness of breath may be your constant companion if you have COPD, experiencing it while eating can be very frustrating. It can also lead to malnutrition, a common complication of COPD.
If you are finding it difficult to complete a meal, try these 7 tips to help you manage shortness of breath during mealtimes:
1. Clear Your Airways Before Eating
Before you eat, make sure you attempt to clear your airways of mucus. This will help you breathe better while eating.
2. Eat and Chew Your Food Slowly
Take small bites and chew your food slowly. Be sure to breathe while you are eating. Put your utensils down between bites to ensure that you eat slower. This will help you retain energy, making it easier to breathe.
3. Eat Foods That Are Easy To Chew
Eating foods that are easy to chew will help you conserve energy so you have more for breathing.
4. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Instead of eating 3 larger meals, try eating 6 smaller meals. This will keep your stomach from feeling too full and make it easier to breathe.
5. Save Beverages Until After Your Eat
When you drink liquids during your meals, you may have a tendency to fill up quicker causing you to feel full or bloated. This can cause difficulty breathing. Try waiting until the end of your meal to drink your beverages. But, of course, if you need to, sip water while you eat to make the food go down easier.
6. Eat While Sitting Upright
Lying down or slumping while eating can cause pressure on your diaphragm. Sitting in an upright position while eating can help reduce pressure and allow you to breathe better.
7. Use Pursed-Lip Breathing
While eating, if it becomes difficult to breathe, try using pursed-lip breathing until you catch your breath.
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/tp/Shortness-of-Breath---Eating.htm
I thought this was good as a review for some people and good information and helpful for others.
Eat well and breath easy,
Love Holly
By Deborah Leader, RN,
While shortness of breath may be your constant companion if you have COPD, experiencing it while eating can be very frustrating. It can also lead to malnutrition, a common complication of COPD.
If you are finding it difficult to complete a meal, try these 7 tips to help you manage shortness of breath during mealtimes:
1. Clear Your Airways Before Eating
Before you eat, make sure you attempt to clear your airways of mucus. This will help you breathe better while eating.
2. Eat and Chew Your Food Slowly
Take small bites and chew your food slowly. Be sure to breathe while you are eating. Put your utensils down between bites to ensure that you eat slower. This will help you retain energy, making it easier to breathe.
3. Eat Foods That Are Easy To Chew
Eating foods that are easy to chew will help you conserve energy so you have more for breathing.
4. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Instead of eating 3 larger meals, try eating 6 smaller meals. This will keep your stomach from feeling too full and make it easier to breathe.
5. Save Beverages Until After Your Eat
When you drink liquids during your meals, you may have a tendency to fill up quicker causing you to feel full or bloated. This can cause difficulty breathing. Try waiting until the end of your meal to drink your beverages. But, of course, if you need to, sip water while you eat to make the food go down easier.
6. Eat While Sitting Upright
Lying down or slumping while eating can cause pressure on your diaphragm. Sitting in an upright position while eating can help reduce pressure and allow you to breathe better.
7. Use Pursed-Lip Breathing
While eating, if it becomes difficult to breathe, try using pursed-lip breathing until you catch your breath.
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/tp/Shortness-of-Breath---Eating.htm
I thought this was good as a review for some people and good information and helpful for others.
Eat well and breath easy,
Love Holly
For those wanting to lose weight they say a glass of water before a meal helps. So if you are needing to maintain weight don't drink before or with food.
Fizzy drinks are a problem for people with COPD as these tend to bloat the abdomen making it more difficult to breathe.
Hi jazzkeys, not sure if this link will help regarding Pulse and Heart Rate:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/exercise/pulsethr.aspx
That sounds awful birdlady, I would mention to your doc again about the BP rise 206/125 if it continues, it must be really uncomfortable for you. It could be to do with the cold you have but even so needs keeping an eye on I think. x x
Hugs
Peta