Understanding Exercise, Diet and Lung Disease · PDF fileUnderstanding Exercise, Diet and Lung...

An educational health series from
Understanding
Exercise, Diet and Lung Disease

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In thIs Issue
About Your Lungs and Chronic Lung Disease 2
Beginning and Maintaining an Exercise Program 6
Eating Well and Maintaining a Healthy Weight 16
Living with Chronic Lung Disease 24
Glossary 28
Note: This information is provided to you as an educational service of National Jewish Health. It is not meant as a substitute for your own doctor. Copyright 2006, revised 2013, National Jewish Health
An educational health series from National Jewish Health
Understanding
Exercise, Diet and Lung Disease

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About Your Lungs and Chronic Lung Disease
Your Lungs and How They WorkYour lungs are part of the system for breathing. This is the respiratory system. The respiratory system serves to provide oxygen to the blood, which the heart pumps throughout the body. It also removes carbon dioxide, a gas your body does not need, from the blood. In addition to the lungs, you need the mouth and nose, the trachea and diaphragm to breathe.
As the diagram on the right illustrates, when you inhale, fresh air enters through the nose and mouth and travels to the lungs via the windpipe (trachea). Once in the lungs, the air moves through a series of smaller and smaller airways. These airways are lined with cilia (hairlike structures) and cells that produce mucus. The cilia is coated by a layer of mucus and beats in a rhythmic fashion to clean the lungs. The airways are also surrounded by smooth muscle. At the end of the airways are grape-like sacs, called alveoli.

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It is here, at the alveoli, where oxygen moves from the alveoli into the blood. The oxygen travels to all the cells of the body. Carbon dioxide moves from the blood to the alveoli and is exhaled. The dome-shaped muscle under the lungs is called the diaphragm. As the diaphragm contracts and relaxes with each breath, the pressure changes in the lungs and causes air to move in and out of the lungs.
NoseMouth
Trachea
Airways
AirwaysDiaphragm
Cilia
SmoothMuscles AroundAirways
CellsLiningAirways
BloodVessels
Alveoli

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What Is Chronic Lung Disease?Chronic lung disease is a general term used to describe long-term illnesses of the breathing system. Diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema are chronic lung diseases. Millions of people in the United States have chronic lung disease. Chronic lung disease affects people of all ages and walks of life.
AsthmAAirways with asthma are swollen and inflamed. This obstructs airflow through the lungs. Asthma airways are also very sensitive to things that can make asthma worse. The tightening of muscles that surround the airways and mucus production inside the airways cause further airway obstruction. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
ChronIC BronChItIsIn chronic bronchitis, there is a chronic cough and chronic mucus production. The airways in the lungs become swollen, irritated and produce more mucus. The earliest symptom of chronic bronchitis is a cough with mucus production.
emphysemAIn emphysema, there is damage to the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. This results in a smaller total number of normal alveoli. The alveoli are not able to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream as well as healthy alveoli. Because of this damage, the lungs lose their elasticity. Elasticity is the ability of the alveoli to stretch and get smaller with breathing.
Asthma
Chronic Bronchitis
Emphysema

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The earliest symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath with activity. Later symptoms with emphysema and chronic bronchitis include shortness of breath with mild activity and rest. These and other chronic lung diseases can be controlled. A well-rounded rehabilitation program that includes education, exercise and eating well can help you stay healthy and feel good.
A well-rounded rehabilitation program that includes education, exercise and eating well can help you stay healthy and feel good.

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Beginning and Maintaining an Exercise Program
While sometimes worrisome and inconvenient, chronic lung disease can be managed. A rehabilitation program that involves a healthy lifestyle of exercise, eating well and smoking cessation will improve your quality of life and increase your tolerance to activity. With a basic understanding of your disease and good medical care, you can improve your lung health. Thats our treatment goal at National Jewish Health to teach patients and their families how to manage chronic lung disease so they can lead full and active lives.

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What Are Your Rehabilitation Goals?It is important to set a few goals that you can reach as you start or resume your rehabilitation program. Think about the different aspects of your life and where you would like to make changes. Would you like to exercise on a regular basis and
feel good doing it? Would you like to be less short of breath? Would you like to learn how to select and prepare
healthy meals? Would you like to lose or gain weight?
These are common goals for many people with chronic lung disease. What are your goals?
You can reach your goals! You can take control of your chronic lung disease. Work with your healthcare team and focus on reaching your goals.
List your goals below.
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Why Should You Exercise?Exercise and staying active are an important part of rehabilitation for chronic lung disease. You may believe that people with chronic lung disease are too short of breath to exercise. This is a myth. The truth is that regular exercise can help you feel less short of breath. Regular exercise improves your heart and muscles. It can help you feel good about yourself.Exercise specialists at National Jewish Health developed this list of the benefits of exercise. Remember, exercise is good for you!
exerCIse InCreAses Energy level Endurance (Cardiopulmonary) Muscle strength Bone density Ability to fight infection Ability to relax Restful sleep
exerCIse DeCreAses Shortness of breath Risk factors of heart disease Blood pressure Side effects of medicine (steroids) Depression Blood sugar levels
How Do You Start an Exercise Program?If you have been exercising on a regular basis, the following information will help you improve your exercise program. If you are over the age of 35, and have not exercised regularly, make an appointment to see your doctor before you start an exercise program.
Exercise will put you on a path to better health.

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Your doctor will help you develop an exercise program to meet your goals. This program will put you on the path to better health. As part of your exercise program, your doctor may prepare written guidelines not only on how to get started, but also how to continue your progress. Be sure to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
Your doctor may refer you to a rehabilitation program. A rehabilitation program is a program to restore your health and quality of life through education, exercise and proper nutrition. You may work with a variety of healthcare providers in a rehabilitation program; Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Recreational Therapists, Nurses and Registered Dietitians.
Once in a rehabilitation program you will complete an evaluation to make sure you are ready to begin an exercise program with the least risk of injury. Members of the rehabilitation team will design the right exercise program for you.
What Should An Exercise Program Include?The components of an exercise program should include: Warm-up Endurance (Cardiopulmonary) Exercise Resistance (Strengthening) Exercise Flexibility (Stretching) Exercise Cool-down
The following pages will give you more information about each component.
If you are over the age of 35, and have not exercised regularly, make an appointment to see your doctor before you start an exercise program.

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WArm-up AnD Cool-DoWnWarm up and cool-down are usually 5 to 10 minutes and may involve gentle stretching or exercise at a lower intensity or workload. It prepares your heart, lungs and muscles for the work to be done during exercise and cools them after a workout to prevent muscle soreness or injury.
enDurAnCe (CArDIopulmonAry) exerCIseYour exercise program will include a walking or cycling program that is designed to improve your endurance so that you can do the

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