Nutrition management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in older adults.

摘要

Pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death for American adults. The link between nutrition and pulmonary disease is not as well recognized as it is for other chronic conditions. Dietary guidelines which reflect the needs of persons withCOPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can lessen many of the medical symptoms by helping to maintain calorie reserves, muscle mass, fluid balance and mineral balance. Weight loss is a predictor of poor prognosis for those with COPD. Strategies arerecommended to prevent or reverse undesirable weight loss which if left untreated could contribute to chronic mouth breathing, aerophagia, chronic sputum production, dyspnoea, nausea, infections and increased cytokines.