COPD can improve with treatment. Home remedies, such as breathing exercises and certain physical activity, can help relieve coughing, excess mucus production, and other symptoms.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the term for a group of lung conditions — emphysema and chronic bronchitis — that restrict airflow into and out of the lungs.
People with COPD tend to experience shortness of breath and may therefore have difficulty exercising and performing everyday activities.
Although there is currently no cure for COPD, various home remedies can help open up the airways and improve a person’s quality of life.
The following home remedies and natural treatments can help people with COPD manage their symptoms and slow disease progression:
1. Quit smoking
Smoking is the
Tobacco smoke irritates the airways within the lungs. Inflammation and obstruction of the airways cause them to narrow, making it difficult for air to pass in and out.
Smoking may also reduce the effectiveness of inhaled steroid medications that doctors use to treat COPD.
Quitting smoking is the most effective action that someone who smokes and has COPD can take to slow disease progression.
People can see a doctor for advice on how to quit smoking, or they may visit smokefree.gov for step-by-step guidance.
2. Improve air quality in the home
Certain irritants inside the home
- paints and varnishes
- chemical cleaning products
- pesticides
- tobacco smoke
- dust
- pet dander
Ways to improve air quality in the home include:
- limiting contact with household chemicals
- opening windows to increase airflow
- using an air filtration system
- cleaning air filtration systems regularly to prevent the growth of harmful mold and mildew
- vacuuming and removing clutter to prevent dust from building up
- washing bed linens every week to reduce dust mites
3. Practice breathing exercises
Certain breathing exercises can improve the symptoms of COPD by strengthening the muscles involved in breathing and increasing the ability to exercise.
Breathing exercises include:
- Pursed-lip breathing. This involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling through tightly pursed lips.
- Diaphragm breathing. This means contracting the diaphragm in order to breathe more deeply. The belly visibly expands while breathing in, and it deflates when breathing out.
- Pranayama. This is a controlled breathing technique common in yoga practice. Pranayama involves concentrating on areas of the body involved in breathing.
Breathing exercises may be useful for people with COPD who have difficulty exercising.
4. Manage stress levels
COPD can cause sudden symptom flare-ups, or exacerbations. Anxiety and depression may increase the risk of flare-ups.
Stress management strategies can also improve general health.
Some 2023 research suggests COPD patients with anxiety or depression experience worse symptoms and rehospitalizations within a year.
Emotional stress may also contribute to a weaker immune system, increasing the risk of respiratory infections.
5. Maintain a healthy weight
People with COPD who are underweight may have worse outcomes than people with COPD who are overweight. Researchers are still investigating the impact of obesity on the outlook for COPD.
People with COPD who are underweight are more likely to experience:
- weakness in the breathing muscles
- reduced ability to exercise
- reduced lung capacity
A balanced diet can help people with COPD by improving lung function. A balanced diet also has metabolic and heart benefits. People who are underweight may especially benefit from a nutritional diet high in calories, protein, and unsaturated fats.
When combined with exercise, this type of diet increases energy and helps build muscle. However, more large-scale studies are needed before researchers understand its benefits for people with COPD.
6. Develop muscle strength
Many people with COPD have difficulty exercising because breathing is harder. However, avoiding exercise can worsen symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue.
The following exercises may help people with COPD improve muscle strength and increase exercise capacity:
- Interval training. This entails alternating periods of high- and low-intensity exercise. Interval training is good for people with severe COPD, as it exercises muscles without overloading the heart and lungs.
- Strength training. This uses resistance methods such as weights, resistance bands, and a person’s own body weight to increase muscle size and strength. Building up the muscles in the lower body can help improve shortness of breath.
Once a person begins to lose fitness, exercise becomes increasingly difficult, and lung function may worsen. Therefore, for the best benefits, start an exercise regimen at an early stage.
7. Water-based exercises
People with COPD may have muscle or bone conditions that make it more difficult to exercise. Water exercises place less stress on the body, which can make them easier and more manageable for people with COPD.
Water supports body weight through buoyancy and provides resistance to increase exercise intensity.
A person should see a doctor if they have the following symptoms of a COPD flare-up:
Certain signs and symptoms indicate a severe COPD exacerbation. People should call the emergency services right away if they have the following:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- blue lips or fingers
- confusion or agitation
- drowsiness
Treating worsening COPD symptoms early can reduce the likelihood of developing further complications.
COPD is a chronic condition that can be difficult to manage. Certain strategies, such as exercises and breathing techniques, can be used at home to help manage symptoms alongside medication and other treatments.
If COPD symptoms worsen, a person should see a doctor for assessment and potential treatment adjustments.