Emphysema: Treatment, Diet and Home Remedies

Food and Nutrition

Foods to be taken
  • Healthy diet consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, fibre and water.
  • Low-sodium chicken soup is particularly beneficial for those suffering with emphysema. Because chicken contains cysteine, it helps to clear your body of excess mucus. Additional food sources of cysteine include wheat germ, red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
  • Olive oil aids in the removal of waste and mucus from the gallbladder and large intestine.
  • Fibre is important for those suffering with emphysema. High-fibre foods include legumes such as cooked peas and beans, whole-grain breads and cereals, bran, rice, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
  • Foods high in antioxidants include asparagus, avocados, berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, chili peppers, collards, red grapes, red and yellow onions, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelon.
Foods to be avoided
  • Foods that encourage the formation of mucus, such as dairy products, red meat, eggs and processed foods.

Yoga and Exercise

Both breathing exercises and regular cardiovascular exercise like walking are critical to curbing symptoms and having a good emphysema prognosis. 
  • Walking is the best exercise for patients with emphysema. Patients should try to walk 3 – 4 times daily for 5 – 15 minutes each time.
  • Exercising and strengthening the muscles in the arms and legs helps some patients improve their endurance and reduce breathlessness. Exercising only one leg at a time (for example, pedaling a stationary bicycle with one leg instead of two) might benefit patients who are usually too out-of-breath to exercise, and help them increase their exercise capacity.
YOGA
  • Resting poses such as supta virasana and viparita karani are very useful to remove strain on the heart and reduce the respiratory rate in the emphysematic

Music and Meditation

Sit quietly and count on your breathe this is the best way to relax.

Home Remedies

  • Avoid things that can irritate your lungs, such as smoke and air pollution
  • Use an air filter in your home
  • Get regular exercise to stay as strong as you can
  • Eat well so you can keep up your strength
  • Protect yourself from cold air




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