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Suggest Treatment For COPD And Weight Loss

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Posted on Fri, 26 Sep 2014
Question: Hello,
I am 54 years old female, currently on disability due to severe COPD/bronchectasis and weight loss (5'4'', 90lb).
I eat in a very healthy way already(about 2,000 cal) according to my nutritionist, but need to add much more calories to stop and reverse weight loss. I cannot take Ensure as I don't tolerate dairy and sweet foods.
My questions:
1. How many calories per day do I need to consume in total. How many of those should be from fat?
2. High calorie substances I am planning to add to my diet are BeneCalories, MCT oil, Ghee, shakes with Almond milk and almond butter... I have tried BeneCalories once, and it made me somewhat nauseous, and not wanting to eat. Any suggestions on how to incorporate these foods without ruining my digestion and appetite? On a side, I go to pulmonary rehab 2-3 times per week...
3. Would all of the above foods produce more mucous?
4. I cannot use nebulizer, as it causes more difficulty breathing. Air retention supposedly... Musinex does not help much. Anything I could do to thin the mucous?
5. I am currently on ProAir (6am, 3pm, 10pm, 2am), Spiriva (10am), and Advair spray 115/21(10am). These keep me alive, but do not cover difficulty breathing very well. Any other suggestions?


doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern.

You are obviously under weight , I calculated your BMI (body mass index) = weight in kg / height in meter squared, your BMI came to be 15 which is very low.
•Aim for one or two pounds per week. More than that could lead to a cycle of crash dieting, in which you gain and lose weight quickly.
•At first, try adding 500 calories a day to your diet. For instance, if you need 2300 calories a day to maintain your current weight, strive to consume 2800 calories daily. This should be an extra 3500 calories over the course of a week, which will lead to one pound of weight gained.

Eat three meals per day, as well as two snacks. Eating on a regular schedule can help you make sure you're getting enough calories every day. Aim to have generously-portioned breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as two snacks in between
Focus on hefty foods. You don't have to exclusively eat high-fat foods to gain weight. Actually, you'll gain weight more steadily and safely if you adjust your diet slightly to include denser foods and extra condiments. Consider these options: • Drinks — Try protein shakes, juices or whole milk. Avoid diet sodas.
• Breads — Hearty and dense breads, such as whole wheat, oat XXXXXXX pumpernickel and rye, are more nutritious than white bread. Cut thick slices and spread generously with peanut butter, jam, honey, hummus, or cream cheese.
• Vegetables — Look for starchy vegetables (potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, winter squash, beets). Avoid vegetables that are mostly water (broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans, cucumbers).
• Fruit — Choose dense fruit (bananas, pears, apples, pineapple, dried fruit) over watery fruit (oranges, peaches, plums, berries, watermelon).
• Soups — Go for hearty cream soups instead of broth-based soups. If you have trouble with edema or high blood pressure, you may want to avoid store-bought soups that are high in sodium.
• Added oils — When you're cooking, add a generous amount of oil to your food. The healthiest oils are unrefined (extra virgin) oils such as olive, coconut, canola, palm, and (of course) butter. Less healthy but still acceptable sources of oil are those high in omega-6 fatty acids (pro-inflammatory) such as safflower, sunflower, and peanut oils. Unhealthy oils that contain trans fats include shortening and soybean oil (aka vegetable oil).
• Spreads — Spreading delicious calorie-rich toppings on toast, crackers, pitas, and any other carbohydrate source is an excellent way to increase caloric intake. Some good high-calorie spreads are guacamole, olive oil, cream cheese, hummus, butter, nut butters, sour cream, cheese slices, and mayonnaise. For even more calories, mix these with shredded meats like chicken or fish.
• Supplements — Some nutritional supplements are designed specifically for weight gain. Investigate brands and products that are suggested for people suffering from illnesses that lead to weight loss.

Avoid trans fats. Trans fats can increase belly fat, as well as inducing unhealthy insulin levels. Steer clear of margarine, shortening, packaged snack foods, and processed meats.


Eat more protein. A lack of protein in your diet can lead to the loss of lean body mass, even if you're consuming excess calories[4]. Here are some foods to consider:
•Boiled soybeans
•Soy or whey protein powder
•Peanuts or peanut butter
•Steak or hamburger
•Chicken
•Tuna

In a 3000 calorie diet per day 100 gram should comprise of fat, containing 30 gram of saturated fat

I would strongly recommend Metoclopramide and PPI ( esomeprazole ) use in addition to the diet to prevent nausea associated with the weight gain regimens or dairy products like ensure.

The FDA has approved olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat), a long-acting beta-agonist, for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Approval was based on a study of 3104 patients in which olodaterol improved lung function compared with placebo


Smoking cessation continues to be the most important therapeutic intervention for COPD. Risk factor reduction (eg, influenza vaccine) is appropriate for all stages of COPD.


•Stage III disease includes (severe obstruction): Short-acting bronchodilator as needed; long-acting bronchodilator(s); cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; inhaled glucocorticoids if repeated exacerbations


•Stage IV comprises of very severe obstruction or moderate obstruction with evidence of chronic respiratory failure): Short-acting bronchodilator as needed; long-acting bronchodilator(s); cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; inhaled glucocorticoids if repeated exacerbation; long-term oxygen therapy (if criteria met); surgical options such as lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and lung transplantation

As you have been given a green signal for surgery , I would consider you in stage stage 4, or a late stage 3

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are typically multidisciplinary approaches that emphasize the following:

•Smoking cessation
•Medical management (including oxygen and immunization)
•Respiratory and chest physiotherapy
Physical therapy with bronchopulmonary hygiene, exercise, and vocational rehabilitation

In health, the airways are lined by a layer of protective mucus gel that sits atop a watery periciliary fluid. Mucus is an adhesive, viscoelastic gel.

Mucoactive medications include expectorants, mucolytics, and mucokinetic drugs. Expectorants are meant to increase the volume of airway water or secretion in order to increase the effectiveness of cough. Although expectorants, such as guaifenesin (eg, Robatussin or Mucinex), are sold over the counter, there is no evidence that they are effective for the therapy of any form of lung disease, and when administered in combination with a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan (the "DM" in some medication names) there is a potential risk of increased airway obstruction. Hyperosmolar saline and mannitol powder can be of symptomatic benefit.

DNA-active medications such as dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) and potentially actin-depolymerizing drugs such as thymosin beta(4) may be of value in helping to break down airway pus. Mucokinetic agents can increase the effectiveness of cough, either by increasing expiratory cough airflow or by unsticking highly adhesive secretions from the airway walls. Aerosol surfactant is one of the most promising of this class of medications. these options will have to be discussed with your doctor.

Empiric antimicrobial therapy is recommended in patients with an acute exacerbation (as evidenced by an increase in baseline dyspnea and/or a change in the quantity or quality of cough) and evidence of an infectious process, such as fever, leukocytosis, or an infiltrate on chest radiograph. The antibiotic choice must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting and local resistance patterns


You mentioned using homeopathy
and other holistic approaches
I would advise against the use of such
drugs as I practice evidence based medicine
and such drugs haven't been studied extensively
with respect to their efficacy side effects
and interactions with other drugs in rigorous
clinical trials , so their efficacy and
safety cant be guaranteed for sure.

Meditation and breathing exercise can be helpful and you may continue doing so.



Let me know if you have any query

wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 2906 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For COPD And Weight Loss

Brief Answer: Explained Detailed Answer: Hello and Welcome I appreciate your concern. You are obviously under weight , I calculated your BMI (body mass index) = weight in kg / height in meter squared, your BMI came to be 15 which is very low. •Aim for one or two pounds per week. More than that could lead to a cycle of crash dieting, in which you gain and lose weight quickly. •At first, try adding 500 calories a day to your diet. For instance, if you need 2300 calories a day to maintain your current weight, strive to consume 2800 calories daily. This should be an extra 3500 calories over the course of a week, which will lead to one pound of weight gained. Eat three meals per day, as well as two snacks. Eating on a regular schedule can help you make sure you're getting enough calories every day. Aim to have generously-portioned breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as two snacks in between Focus on hefty foods. You don't have to exclusively eat high-fat foods to gain weight. Actually, you'll gain weight more steadily and safely if you adjust your diet slightly to include denser foods and extra condiments. Consider these options: • Drinks — Try protein shakes, juices or whole milk. Avoid diet sodas. • Breads — Hearty and dense breads, such as whole wheat, oat XXXXXXX pumpernickel and rye, are more nutritious than white bread. Cut thick slices and spread generously with peanut butter, jam, honey, hummus, or cream cheese. • Vegetables — Look for starchy vegetables (potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, winter squash, beets). Avoid vegetables that are mostly water (broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans, cucumbers). • Fruit — Choose dense fruit (bananas, pears, apples, pineapple, dried fruit) over watery fruit (oranges, peaches, plums, berries, watermelon). • Soups — Go for hearty cream soups instead of broth-based soups. If you have trouble with edema or high blood pressure, you may want to avoid store-bought soups that are high in sodium. • Added oils — When you're cooking, add a generous amount of oil to your food. The healthiest oils are unrefined (extra virgin) oils such as olive, coconut, canola, palm, and (of course) butter. Less healthy but still acceptable sources of oil are those high in omega-6 fatty acids (pro-inflammatory) such as safflower, sunflower, and peanut oils. Unhealthy oils that contain trans fats include shortening and soybean oil (aka vegetable oil). • Spreads — Spreading delicious calorie-rich toppings on toast, crackers, pitas, and any other carbohydrate source is an excellent way to increase caloric intake. Some good high-calorie spreads are guacamole, olive oil, cream cheese, hummus, butter, nut butters, sour cream, cheese slices, and mayonnaise. For even more calories, mix these with shredded meats like chicken or fish. • Supplements — Some nutritional supplements are designed specifically for weight gain. Investigate brands and products that are suggested for people suffering from illnesses that lead to weight loss. Avoid trans fats. Trans fats can increase belly fat, as well as inducing unhealthy insulin levels. Steer clear of margarine, shortening, packaged snack foods, and processed meats. Eat more protein. A lack of protein in your diet can lead to the loss of lean body mass, even if you're consuming excess calories[4]. Here are some foods to consider: •Boiled soybeans •Soy or whey protein powder •Peanuts or peanut butter •Steak or hamburger •Chicken •Tuna In a 3000 calorie diet per day 100 gram should comprise of fat, containing 30 gram of saturated fat I would strongly recommend Metoclopramide and PPI ( esomeprazole ) use in addition to the diet to prevent nausea associated with the weight gain regimens or dairy products like ensure. The FDA has approved olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat), a long-acting beta-agonist, for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Approval was based on a study of 3104 patients in which olodaterol improved lung function compared with placebo Smoking cessation continues to be the most important therapeutic intervention for COPD. Risk factor reduction (eg, influenza vaccine) is appropriate for all stages of COPD. •Stage III disease includes (severe obstruction): Short-acting bronchodilator as needed; long-acting bronchodilator(s); cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; inhaled glucocorticoids if repeated exacerbations •Stage IV comprises of very severe obstruction or moderate obstruction with evidence of chronic respiratory failure): Short-acting bronchodilator as needed; long-acting bronchodilator(s); cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; inhaled glucocorticoids if repeated exacerbation; long-term oxygen therapy (if criteria met); surgical options such as lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and lung transplantation As you have been given a green signal for surgery , I would consider you in stage stage 4, or a late stage 3 Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are typically multidisciplinary approaches that emphasize the following: •Smoking cessation •Medical management (including oxygen and immunization) •Respiratory and chest physiotherapy •Physical therapy with bronchopulmonary hygiene, exercise, and vocational rehabilitation In health, the airways are lined by a layer of protective mucus gel that sits atop a watery periciliary fluid. Mucus is an adhesive, viscoelastic gel. Mucoactive medications include expectorants, mucolytics, and mucokinetic drugs. Expectorants are meant to increase the volume of airway water or secretion in order to increase the effectiveness of cough. Although expectorants, such as guaifenesin (eg, Robatussin or Mucinex), are sold over the counter, there is no evidence that they are effective for the therapy of any form of lung disease, and when administered in combination with a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan (the "DM" in some medication names) there is a potential risk of increased airway obstruction. Hyperosmolar saline and mannitol powder can be of symptomatic benefit. DNA-active medications such as dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) and potentially actin-depolymerizing drugs such as thymosin beta(4) may be of value in helping to break down airway pus. Mucokinetic agents can increase the effectiveness of cough, either by increasing expiratory cough airflow or by unsticking highly adhesive secretions from the airway walls. Aerosol surfactant is one of the most promising of this class of medications. these options will have to be discussed with your doctor. Empiric antimicrobial therapy is recommended in patients with an acute exacerbation (as evidenced by an increase in baseline dyspnea and/or a change in the quantity or quality of cough) and evidence of an infectious process, such as fever, leukocytosis, or an infiltrate on chest radiograph. The antibiotic choice must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting and local resistance patterns You mentioned using homeopathy and other holistic approaches I would advise against the use of such drugs as I practice evidence based medicine and such drugs haven't been studied extensively with respect to their efficacy side effects and interactions with other drugs in rigorous clinical trials , so their efficacy and safety cant be guaranteed for sure. Meditation and breathing exercise can be helpful and you may continue doing so. Let me know if you have any query wishing you best of health Thanks