Page 202 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 202
avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 200 Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable, progressive,
not fully reversible disease that most commonly affects smokers. It is a chronic
inflammatory obstruction of the small airways characterized by an accelerated
decline in lung function and premature death. In Slovenia, approximately 500
to 600 people die each year as a result of COPD (Šuškovič et al., 2011). Accord-
ing to the World Health Organization, the disease is the fourth leading cause
of death (Kristan Škrgat et al., 2009). COPD patient has chronic bronchitis and
a feeling of heavy breathing, mucus secretion increases, breathing mechanics
are impaired, resulting in a feeling of heavy breathing, which is exacerbated
during physical exertion. According to a European study, 73 % of people with
severe COPD suffer from dyspnea, 64 % from sputum, 59 % from cough and
42 % from wheezing (Burkhardt and Pankow, 2014). The disease has a chronic
course with accompanying acute exacerbations. Early detection and treatment
of the disease has implications for slower disease progression and better qual-
ity of life (Škrgat et al., 2017). COPD is a major health problem as it is a leading
cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries and is
not only a respiratory disease, but is characterized by systemic inflammation
that can manifest itself through skeletal and cardiac involvement: muscle wast-
ing, cachexia, anemia and accelerated atherosclerosis (Šorli, 2015).
The main goals of COPD treatment are to prevent disease progression,
relieve disease symptoms, increase physical capacity, prevent and treat disease
exacerbations, and improve the patient‘s quality of life. Among the important
non-pharmacological treatment measures is proper nutrition (regular meals,
more protein in the diet, sufficient fluids) (Škrgat et al., 2017).
COPD patient and diet
Despite great advances in medicine, COPD still cannot be completely cured
with available medications, so treatment is usually symptomatic. Patients are
advised to change their lifestyle with the help of appropriate medications. This
certainly includes proper diet, which can have a significant impact on relieving
the symptoms of shortness of breath. COPD patients have on average 20-50 %
higher energy requirements, which is why they are advised to eat foods rich in
energy and nutrients, as the energy consumption in the respiratory process is
even ten times higher than usual in COPD patients, which should be taken in-
to account when determining the appropriate daily caloric intake. About 40-
50 % of patients with advanced COPD suffer from weight loss, especially lean
muscle mass (Samaras et al., 2015).
Inadequate energy and nutrient intake leads to patient malnutrition, met-
abolic changes, and progressive lung disease to pulmonary cachexia, which is
associated with increased mortality in patients with COPD. Frequent fatigue
can lead to loss of appetite, chronic airway inflammation from coughing can af-
fect the smell and taste of food, and accompanying depression further reduc-
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable, progressive,
not fully reversible disease that most commonly affects smokers. It is a chronic
inflammatory obstruction of the small airways characterized by an accelerated
decline in lung function and premature death. In Slovenia, approximately 500
to 600 people die each year as a result of COPD (Šuškovič et al., 2011). Accord-
ing to the World Health Organization, the disease is the fourth leading cause
of death (Kristan Škrgat et al., 2009). COPD patient has chronic bronchitis and
a feeling of heavy breathing, mucus secretion increases, breathing mechanics
are impaired, resulting in a feeling of heavy breathing, which is exacerbated
during physical exertion. According to a European study, 73 % of people with
severe COPD suffer from dyspnea, 64 % from sputum, 59 % from cough and
42 % from wheezing (Burkhardt and Pankow, 2014). The disease has a chronic
course with accompanying acute exacerbations. Early detection and treatment
of the disease has implications for slower disease progression and better qual-
ity of life (Škrgat et al., 2017). COPD is a major health problem as it is a leading
cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries and is
not only a respiratory disease, but is characterized by systemic inflammation
that can manifest itself through skeletal and cardiac involvement: muscle wast-
ing, cachexia, anemia and accelerated atherosclerosis (Šorli, 2015).
The main goals of COPD treatment are to prevent disease progression,
relieve disease symptoms, increase physical capacity, prevent and treat disease
exacerbations, and improve the patient‘s quality of life. Among the important
non-pharmacological treatment measures is proper nutrition (regular meals,
more protein in the diet, sufficient fluids) (Škrgat et al., 2017).
COPD patient and diet
Despite great advances in medicine, COPD still cannot be completely cured
with available medications, so treatment is usually symptomatic. Patients are
advised to change their lifestyle with the help of appropriate medications. This
certainly includes proper diet, which can have a significant impact on relieving
the symptoms of shortness of breath. COPD patients have on average 20-50 %
higher energy requirements, which is why they are advised to eat foods rich in
energy and nutrients, as the energy consumption in the respiratory process is
even ten times higher than usual in COPD patients, which should be taken in-
to account when determining the appropriate daily caloric intake. About 40-
50 % of patients with advanced COPD suffer from weight loss, especially lean
muscle mass (Samaras et al., 2015).
Inadequate energy and nutrient intake leads to patient malnutrition, met-
abolic changes, and progressive lung disease to pulmonary cachexia, which is
associated with increased mortality in patients with COPD. Frequent fatigue
can lead to loss of appetite, chronic airway inflammation from coughing can af-
fect the smell and taste of food, and accompanying depression further reduc-
