Emphysema is a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and can be life threatening due to the increase metabolic needs associated with poor lung function. COPD may increase your metabolic needs by 150%, however when you have COPD it is often difficult to eat for a variety of reasons. Some people get full quickly (early satiety), some have problems eating and breathing simultaneously, some have poor appetite, some may experience gastrointestinal symptoms from medication use causing poor food intake.
People with emphysema are often very thin due to these reasons and this causes the disease to worsen - it's a viscous cycle. Seeing a registered dietitian can help the patient and family to meet their nutrient needs to maximize longevity and quality of life.
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Emphysema
Emphysema is difficulty breathing due to air trapped in the lung, resulting in reduced lung capacity. Smoking is usually the cause, as it damages the linings of the air sacs in the lungs making them close. This leads to areas of t...
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