First, be aware that cold weather may exacerbate symptoms in people with COPD. According to TCM theory, a cold environment can cause the airways to constrict, aggravating asthma symptoms. Therefore, COPD patients should pay attention to keeping warm in winter, especially on the chest and neck, and can wear warm clothing, hats and scarves to prevent direct irritation from cold air.
Secondly, diet is also an important aspect of winter care for COPD patients. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that COPD is caused by the weakness of lung qi, so the diet should focus on nourishing and nourishing the lungs. You can choose some foods that nourish yin, moisturize dryness, and nourish qi, such as Chuanbei, Shashen, Maidong, etc., which can be boiled into soup or stewed food, which can help improve the symptoms of COPD patients. In addition, COPD patients are advised to eat less spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers and peppercorns, so as not to irritate the trachea and bronchi and aggravate the symptoms.
In addition, traditional Chinese medicine** is also an important means of winter care for COPD patients. In ancient China, there were many famous prescriptions for COPD, such as Ma Xing Shi Gantang, Qingyan Granules, etc. These formulas can alleviate the symptoms of COPD patients by nourishing lung qi and clearing away heat and phlegm. However, the use of traditional Chinese medicine** should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, as different COPD conditions may require different traditional Chinese medicine treatment.
In addition, exercise is also an important part of winter care for COPD patients. Although cold weather can be uncomfortable for people with COPD, proper exercise can enhance lung function and improve airway patency. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that COPD is a stagnation of qi, so exercise can promote the smooth flow of qi. You can choose aerobic exercises that suit you, such as walking, tai chi, etc., and stick to a certain amount of exercise every day to help relieve symptoms.
Finally, care should be taken to avoid triggers for acute COPD attacks. Respiratory infections such as colds and flu are prone to occur in winter, which can aggravate the symptoms of COPD. Therefore, COPD patients should pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, wear masks, and avoid contact with viruses and bacteria. In addition, cold air is also one of the triggers of acute attacks of COPD, so it is best for COPD patients to avoid going out in winter and stay indoors as much as possible.
In summary, COPD patients need to pay attention to many aspects of care in winter. Measures such as warmth, diet, Chinese medicine**, exercise, and infection prevention can all help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. However, it should be emphasized that each patient's condition and constitution are different, so it is best to carry out relevant care and ** under the guidance of a doctor.
Health References:
1. global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease.(2020). global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. retrieved from: org/gold-reports/