COPD and Nutrition

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a slow and progressive obstruction of the airways. There are two categories of COPD. These are emphysema, a condition where there is abnormal and permanent destruction and enlargement of the alveoli. Chronic bronchitis is a productive cough and inflammation of the bronchi and other lung changes. Smoking and second hand smoke exposure are the main contributors to this disease. Other contributing factors can be environmental air pollution and genetics. People diagnosed with emphysema are usually older and thin in stature. Hearth failure and right ventricular enlargement (cor pulmonale) usually develops later in the disease. People diagnosed with chronic bronchitis are usually of normal weight and can even be overweight. Hypoxemia is seen in both stages of disease but in patients with chronic bronchitis, cor pulmonale develops early. Treatment for COPD are monitoring the disease, smoking cessation, medications such as steroid inhalers and oxygen therapy. As well as, surgery and lung transplant. Just to name a few. Mr. C. is admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath. He has previously been diagnosed with COPD, hypertension, depression, obesity and sleep apnea. He has been a smoker since age 12. He is 5’10” and weighs 240 pounds. His BMI is 34.4. He has been given instruction by his doctor to follow a heart healthy diet and exercise to lose weight. He lives with his wife Mrs. C. and she states that he does not follow the physician recommendations. He sometimes skips his medications. He uses inhalers for shortness of breath and takes an antidepressant. He is using a CPap at home to help with his sleep apnea. His wife has been trying to get him to take a multivitamin with omega 3’s to help with heart and other issues. Mr. C. declined after admit and has been intubated under sedation. Patient has been NPO for 4 days. Urine output and bowel sounds are clear and normal. He has been