Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive, incurable lung diseases primarily caused by smoking and characterized by increased breathlessness and respiratory symptoms. Functional medicine doctors address COPD by focusing on root causes, recommending lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, improving nutrition, and managing symptoms through exercise and breathing techniques. Early intervention and smart dietary choices can help prevent and manage the disease effectively.

1. How Do
Functional Medicine Doctors
Approach COPD?

2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD is a term for a group for progressive, incurable lung diseases
characterized by increasing breathlessness. It mainly manifests as either chronic
bronchitis or emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial airways, which then
narrows as mucus builds up.
Emphysema damages the air sacs in your the lungs, interfering with airflow; it
becomes harder to get oxygen in and carbon dioxide out as old air gets trapped
in the alveoli, leaving little to no room for new air.

3. Symptoms of COPD
Symptoms of COPD vary from person to
person, but some of the common early
ones include:
● Increased breathlessness
● Wheezing
● Tightness in the chest
● Mild but recurrent cough
As the disease progresses, symptoms
also escalate and get harder to ignore.
Aside from the earlier symptoms, you
may also experience:
● Shortness of breath after easy
physical activities such as going up
a flight of stairs
● Chronic cough, with or without
mucus
● Lack of energy, later fatigue
● Frequent colds and other
respiratory infections
● Weight loss
● Swelling of feet, ankles & legs

4. In the US, the single largest contributing factor to developing COPD is smoking. Around
90% of people with COPD are either smokers or former smokers. Indeed, 20-30% of
long-time smokers develop COPD and other lung diseases.
Causes of COPD
Risk of developing COPD increases the longer and
more tobacco products you smoke. People who are
exposed to secondhand smoke and even chemicals
and fumes in factories and such are also at risk of
developing COPD.

5. The Functional Medicine Approach
Functional medicine doctors approach COPD by recognizing the roots of the issue
and addressing them effectively.
A certified functional medicine practitioner can help make improvements of
nutritional status as well as suggest for beneficial lifestyle changes, most significant
of which is quitting smoking. Whenever possible, people with COPD should also
avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and fumes.
Functional medicine doctors can also devise a healthy eating plan to help sustain
the body’s needs for certain vitamins and nutrients.

6. Functional medicine doctors promote healthier lifestyles to make your body stronger and
avoid risks of developing diseases like COPD. Some ways to manage the disease include:
● Clearing your airways, by drinking plenty of water to help flush out the mucus collecting
in your airways
● Exercising more, at least within the limitations set by your specialist. Pushing yourself to
do more activities while having trouble breathing would be counterproductive. This is
why you should discuss first with a certified functional medicine practitioner which
activities are appropriate for you. Proper exercise can strengthen your respiratory
muscles and improve your endurance.
● Learn to control your breathing, by trying different breathing and relaxations
techniques. Your functional medicine doctor may discuss with a respiratory therapist how
to help you breathe easier and more freely.

7. COPD can be prevented and
managed by making smart dietary
and lifestyle choices. If you don’t
know where to start, you can
consult with a certified functional
medicine practitioner who will be
more than happy to help you lead a
better, healthier life.

8. Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353685
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