COPD: Avoiding Weight LossCOPD: Avoiding Weight LossIntroductionSome people with severe
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—especially those with
emphysema—may be underweight and malnourished. - People with COPD often lose weight. When you
lose weight, you lose muscle mass, including the muscles that help you breathe.
This may make breathing more difficult.
- Some people
with COPD weigh too little for good health. People who are very
underweight, especially those with emphysema, are at higher risk of death than
are people with COPD who have a normal weight.1
- To avoid losing weight and muscle mass, you
generally need to eat more foods containing fat and protein. Because eating too
much fat and targeting certain nutrients (such as protein) may have health
risks, always consult with your doctor or a
registered dietitian before eating more of these foods
to gain weight.
 What causes weight and muscle loss in COPD?
 Why is weight loss a concern in COPD?
 How do I avoid weight loss in COPD?
 Where to go from here
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology Last Updated: November 29, 2011 |
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