I recently was diagnosed with COPD. Any information on how to reverse it?

You may actually be taking very good care of yourself but I'm not sure if COPD can actually be reversed. However, it can be managed through regular treatments including nebulizer breathing treatments. I don't have COPD that I know of but I do have post pertussis asthma and I take breathing treatments. I'm not even sure asthma can be reversed, but it can be managed. I learned the hard way that I can't go long without my treatments or I'll just start hacking again. Yes, I have cough variant asthma caused by undiagnosed pertussis, I had all of the symptoms of pertussis. Getting diagnosed with pertussis is actually very hard since pertussis is supposed to be a thing of the past. However, it's making a strong come back due to lack of vaccinations during childhood. I'm thankful to be alive today, but now I'm dealing with post pertussis cough variant asthma, and I don't see it going away.

Sadly, some respiratory conditions are permanent. Don't go too long without your treatments or you'll end up with serious consequences. It's easy to skip your treatments when you're feeling normal, but I'm warning you, don't do it because there will come a time when you'll suddenly have problems without any prior warning and they'll only progressively worsen, for making it harder and harder for you to get through your day without your treatments. The problem will progressively worse and until you resolve it by resuming your treatments.

In fact, I just got the cutest little pocket sized nebulizer with a heavy output so I don't have to be on a regular machine for near as long. It seems like this little pocket size nebulizer has a greater output so you can shorten time you're on the machine. yes, my newest nebulizer dramatically cuts my treatment time from the normal 8 to 11 minutes all the way down to a few seconds but no more than one minute. Oh how strong some of these pocket nebulizers are!

Garden I was also going to recommend Pulmonary Rehab. Most hospitals offer it, and it helps you learn to live with COPD and have a better quality of life.

Ask your pulmonologist if there's a pulmonary rehab program at the hospital with which he/she is affiliated, and ask if you qualify for the program. I've been advised Medicare will pay for it and there's no time limit on participation as there is with PT or OT.

Were you prescribed oxygen for home use?

Getwellsoon, You are in the Severe stage with FEV1 between 30-49%. You might ask to see an RT (respiratory therapist) to prevent further decline. You might also want to get a pulse oximeter, fingertip style, so you can keep a log of heart rate and O2 saturation levels. Share the log with your MD at office visits.

I have Copd fev1 39% and respiratory failure . What stage of Copd is this ?

Bethanyrita has a good comment. Using the search words "herbs, lungs, bronchial" I came across several links. One, for example, mentions 9 herbs for lungs and cold help. The herbs they recommend are: Mullein, Angelica, Ginger, Garlic, Cinnamon, Elecampane, Coltsfoot, Thyme, and Wild Cherry Bark. (source: vitaminstohealth/lung-herbs.html) Between Swanson Vitamins, Amazon, Herbspro.com, and other online retailers--or even your local health food stores--you can probably find these things.

There is some herb product that help lung but not reverse but good for lung cicrulatiion like lung and bronchial. Visit pulmonary doctor. go to westcoast Arizona . The air is different.

Stress can be physical as well as mental. Stress affects the weakest link in the chain. Our bodies respond to stress differently: some get cancer, others get arthritis, etc.

As a vegan, your physical stress could be due to insufficient iron, calcium, and B-12. Possibly also copper and zinc. These are common deficiencies for vegans. I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian, and even my iron, calcium, and B-12 levels are low without supplementation. There are great vegan sources for all these supplements.

Additionally, dietary fats help us absorb nutrients. Go with quality organic cold-pressed ones, as well as raw nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are also good sources for zinc.

I have been dealing with COPD for 20+ years. It robs you of your strength and energy. They are right there is no cure. It is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide. But there is a lot you can do to help yourself. You will have good days and bad. On the good do what you can without pushing yourself. On the bad let things go, it can wait. I never smoked. I have the gene defect plus asthma, chronic Broncitus, and a ton of allergies. Get a good home filter system if you can. Avoid anything that makes you worse- this can be fumes, outdoor scents, foods, etc. most people get an excessive mucus build up. Mine likes to form at the bottom of my throat and nothing except Coke cola will pass through until its gone. I have choked on food several times because of this so I've learned to keep Coke as a staple at home and in the car. The canned seems to work the best. Mornings are the worst but if I can catch it early enough Anise candy squares also help cut through it. Musinex helps some people but with me it made it worse. Drink lots of water to keep the mucus thinned out. A lot of it is trial and error. I use 2 different meds in a nubulizer machine which will make me shake like an earthquake. Sometimes cheese or sweets will help calm things but if its really bad all I can do is go lay down til it eases up. I use 2 different inhalers and when I get Broncitus an antibiotic and prednisone. Prednisone really helps but has bad muscle spasm side effects, especially in the legs. Used to be you could get quinine pills that worked great but they outlawed them. Tonic water has quinine in it. I cannot stand the taste so I mix it at least half n half with koolaid. There is also an herbal quinine pill you can get at Walgreens- & Dollar General - Leg Cramps from Hyland's company. (Homeopathic). It works really good but can be hard to find. You can live better by informing yourself. Learn all you can. The American Lung Association is a good source. Hope this helps you out.

My mother-in-law died of lung cancer, and never smoked, but she lived many years in a part of the world where people cooked on wood or charcoal fires; and even after coming to California there were things she preferred to cook outside on the barbecue. My aunt died of throat cancer, was very rarely sick until the last, but lived with a smoker for about 30 years and then lived in a basement apartment on a busy intersection. We don't realize what we're exposed to sometimes until it's too late.

my mother had COPD for many years. She died last Monday, and it was complications of her Heart failure, not sure what it is called. She was 89 and the copd was a complication but did not cause her death. IT is not reversible, but can be managed , Beverley Perth Western Australia.

Anyone can get COPD, lung cancer or any other cancers for that matter and you need not to have smoked.

Havefaith, not unusual to hear of a non-smoker getting COPD or even getting lung cancer.... think back, did that person marry someone who was a smoker?... or worked in a place of business back when smoking was allowed?... worked in a factory?.... grow up in an area of factory smoke or chemicals in the drinking water?.... was around a lot of leaded gasoline?

COPD is also caused by enviromental factors such as asbestos, etc. It can also be caused by non enviormental factors, some people just get it with age.
Kaaza.. I have never heard of the salt cure, I;m going to have to look this up as I am a respiratory therapist I do have a salt block light I like.. and a big arse air purifier (smoke scrubber...lol) since the folks moved in. I think the salt thing sounds pretty cool!!!

My mother is 83 years old and she never smoked in her life. How can a nonsmoker get COPD? Seems puzzling to me.

The link I was referring to is: myfitnesspal

Here's my recommendation, based on my research. Be sure to eat a nutrient-rich diet. Processed carbs don't hack it. You need raw (preferably organic) fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds for their enzymes and other nutrients. Get good fats in you, such as organic coconut oil, hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, and cold-pressed olive oil. I don't have COPD, but I find the juice of a raw lemon added to a glass of water helps my sinuses a lot. When you have grains, go with whole grains. Avoid wheat. Use sprouted-grain breads, like Ezekiel. If you are overweight, try counting calories. Fitnesspal has a free online calorie counter, with an extensive data base.

I was diagnosed with this 3 yrs ago after being admitted into hospital with pneumonia. I can blame no-one but myself, it was caused by my smoking. getting out of hospital the first thing I did when I was home was make a coffee and have a cigarette, I guess I was in denial about this.i was visited by 2 nurses from the hospital and was totally honest with them, I was given an inhaler containing nicotine, patches, and gum.i tried them then gave up, went back to smoking again.i was given a ct scan over a year ago, emphysema has shown in the top of my lungs, my mum has dementia and she was more important than a stupid cigarette, I stopped due to the willpower I never thought I had.i don't look back and think if only I didn't start smoking? I have a dog who is exercised 4 times daily, I do get out of breath at times but allways carry barley sugar, I have 2 oxygen cylinders at home which I have used only 2 times (thank goodness) I suppose I was like many people thinking that will never to me, I was so wrong. I never thought my mum would end up with dementia, I was wrong about that too.my 2 sisters smoke 1 wants to stop now, the other when she visits smokes outside in the garden, and does the same when I visit her, I hope youre friends & family do this for you.sadly there is no cure, the same for dementia sufferers, but you have a chance to stop it worsening, stay away from passive smokers, get plenty exercise, but don't overdo it, walk at a slower pace and raise the pillows on the bed, keeping the window open a little at all times.i don't feel sorry for myself at any time, I feel stupid for thinking it could never happen to me, but beware all smokers if it can happen to me, it can happen to you, willpower is never easy but you will find it if you are determined to keep this at bay. you only have 1 pair of lungs without them you are finished, don't let cigarettes take youre life. I hope this will help others.

No cure but you can slow down it's progression. If caused by smoking, quit with support. Nicotine Anonymous is a great org. Also, see a pulmonologist and contact hospital re light exercise and do breathing exercises and possibly broncodialators. Lots of support out there. Also, get air purifiers from Rabbit Aire (they are the best!) or from Macy's when on sale. My daughter has allergic asthma and they are great and you must keep environment all dust free. If you don't have a cat, don't get one, very bad for COPD and asthma.

No cure but you can slow down it's progression. If caused by smoking, quit with support. Nicotine Anonymous is a great org. Also, see a pulmonologist and contact hospital re light exercise and do breathing exercises and possibly broncodialators. Lots of support out there.

I also have COPD and there is no reverse unfortunately - I now stake
Spiriva and he does help - kind of pricy but letting you breathe. Stay away from others smoking and any fires -

I agree with rest. There is no reverse at all. Just no more smoking. Take your breathing treatment as prescribed by doctor. Go to regular doctor appointment, Later on you may have to wear oxygen. Sit with your head elevate to ventilate well.

You can only manage COPD, otherwise it is not reversible. Try to live in a lower elevation (best at sea level) as you will need all the O2 (above 90) you can get. See if a portable O2 helps. Your lungs try to filter so many toxins, but even with all the clean living you have been doing, they perhaps could not compete with environmental factors. Stay away from smokers and all pollutants you can and just live each day to the fullest. Best wishes!

I have heard salt clinics are good for this? they help clear your lungs there is one near me which i must go to having cut down on smoking!

You are put in a room with a lounger and just breath in this salt air which clears all the bad stuff from your lungs! my friend has asthma and she swears by it!

Im sure there are some in your area?

I agree with JessieBelle, I just wanted to add in about breathing exercises and being mindful of when you bend, push, pull and pick things up. Don't hold your breath while straining or exerting your self. Breath in before exerting then breath it out while exerting your self. Controlling your breathing in these instances will make it easier for you to do what you want to do so you don't get short of breath. As you progress with your illness you will need to sleep on an incline, I would suggest finding a foam wedge that is comfortable ahead of time. If you end up taking Lasix and find yourself getting leg cramps ask your doctor about the benefits of taking potassium and magnesium, my dad had such a bad problem with leg cramps he was put on both at a prescription strength. Bananas just don't have enough potassium your body needs while taking Lasix for some people. My dad also used to carry "Tic-Tacs" when he was on oxygen, his mouth would get very dry due to the O2 and Lasix. To make travel easier my dad had a converter put in the van for the concentrator so he would not have to depend on bottles, just make sure to always leave a window open a few inches for fresh air for the concentrator to pull from otherwise you might get a build up of carbon dioxide in your blood, that's not a good thing. He used "Command Strip Cord Organizers to secure the oxygen tubing from the concentrator to the ceiling and over to the passenger seat so it stayed out of the way and did not get damaged and it didn't damage the interior because of the command strips. It's always good to talk to as many people that you can about what they do to make life a little easier for you and you can share your tips with other people in the same situation. I hope this information is very helpful to you and I wish you much love and happiness with your family because they are most important in life!

The best non-medicine advice for COPD is to limit breathing in things that will irritate the lungs and to get good aerobic exercise. Exercise helps keep your lungs cleared out and elastic. Water will also help, so stay hydrated. Getting food that have all the vitamins needed is good. Vitamin C is particularly handy when it comes to healing damage that is still reversible. With some types of COPD, most will not be reversible, but you want to give healthy tissues the best chance.

This sounds like the same generic advice people hear for any ailment. And it is. Eat right, exercise, and don't breathe in bad stuff.

I agree with Pam there is no reversal. But COPD is treatable with bronchodilators. And get your annual flu shot, and get a pneumonia shot, if you haven't already. Otherwise, being a vegan [as long as you are getting enough protein] and exercising every day is a plus to ward off other illnesses.

COPD is the result of many years of abuse and decline. There is no reversal, but there are some excellent coping mechanisms. If you are willing, enroll in a clinical trial for new meds and treatments. Contact the American Lung Association or go to lung.org