The worsening of a disease/condition over time
A formal documentation when someone else is given the responsibility to manage your affairs and make certain decisions on your behalf
Refers to the lungs
A group of tests used to check how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they supply oxygen to the rest of the body14
A type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels to the lungs and the right side of the heart15
Therapy that provides relief from symptoms to help patients live more comfortably with their disease13
Administration of oxygen as a medical intervention11
A small plastic tube or prongs that fit in the nostrils to deliver supplementary oxygen11
Listening to and playing music as a therapy which aims to ease the symptoms of those living with IPF
A sleep disorder characterised by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep12
A specialist who helps someone recover or live with their symptoms more easily
A machine that removes other gases from the air to provide oxygen for oxygen therapy11
An education and exercise program designed to improve the quality of life for people with lung conditions16
A physician specialised in lung problems (also known as a respirologist)
A product that gives protection against a specific infection
A test used to monitor oxygen levels in a patient’s blood, usually with a non-invasive sensor11
A breathing technique to help control breathlessness and reduce anxiety17
A disease that affects only a small percentage of the population
Something that is associated with an increased risk of disease or infection
A technique that helps to reduce stress and anxiety by helping to understand and manage your emotions
Therapies used alongside conventional treatments that help treat symptoms and may improve overall physical and mental wellbeing
A medical study that investigates how safe and effective a new therapy or technique is for treating a certain disease
A disease or condition that occurs at the same time as another disease or condition
A device to deliver compressed air to improve sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnoea6
A disease where a waxy substance (plaque) builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle7
A type of chronic disease that typically worsens over time and is characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are older terms used for COPD5
Refers to the heart, and blood vessels
A type of medication that aims to slow the scarring and stiffening of lungs to slow disease progression2
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood takes place
A test that shows how well the lungs are working by measuring how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. This test requires that a small volume of blood be drawn from the patient3
Techniques that involve breathing in a certain way to control breathlessness and strengthen your lungs
A procedure in which a bronchoscope (a medical instrument like a tube) is passed through the mouth or nose into the lung and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination4
A lung condition where the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) become damaged5
Extreme weariness resulting from exertion or illness
Of unknown cause
Rapid and uncontrolled breathing
A disease where there is progressive scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause4
The surgical removal of cells or tissue samples from the lung for examination by a pathologist10
The lung tissue becomes thickened and stiff
A test that uses a type of X-ray that produces multiple, detailed images of areas inside the body4
A burning sensation in the chest, which can spread to the throat, along with a sour taste in the mouth
Where inflamed tissue is replaced with scar tissue, making it thicken and become stiffer4
A symptom where the ends of the fingers become wider and rounder8
A digestive disease where stomach acid moves up out of the stomach and irritates the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus)9
A physician specializing in the management of diseases of the digestive system
An event characterized by sudden, severe worsening of symptoms or an increase in disease severity1
A healthy diet is a critical component in supporting the health of all people, but especially so for people living with pulmonary fibrosis. A healthy diet helps maintain a healthy weight, keep up energy levels and strengthen the immune system. Being overweight can put extra pressure on the lungs and make it harder to breathe.1 Being underweight can lead to weakening of the muscles involved in breathing.2
The types of food you eat throughout your day will affect your overall health and wellbeing.3 People with pulmonary fibrosis can often have a lack of appetite, however it is important to still try to eat regularly and healthily.
Making sure you eat a well-balanced diet, with enough proteins, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins and minerals will also help you to fight infections and other illnesses.4
What are the effects of poor nutrition?5
By managing your nutrition and eating a healthy diet, you can overcome some of the weight-related and digestive problems that patients with pulmonary fibrosis can experience.
For example, some people find that as symptoms like breathlessness worsen, they rapidly begin to lose weight. This can be because their body is finding it harder to breathe and using up more energy to breathe normally. Patients may also lose their appetite and at times have episodes of sickness and vomiting.5
Speak to your treatment team if you feel you are unable to prepare your meals.
Simple tips to help improve your nutrition when living with pulmonary fibrosis5,6
The below tips can help you in everyday life to prevent weight loss, nutritional deficiencies or digestive problems:
- If you struggle to eat large meals, try instead to eat six to eight small dishes which are high in calories and in nutrients
- Take plenty of snacks with you if you plan to be active for more than two hours. Fruit, nuts, or sandwiches are good practical choices
- Drink two to three liters of water per day
- Make sure you eat enough high-protein foods. Meat and dairy products like yoghurt and cheese have lots of protein to help your strength. High-protein foods should be included in your diet several times a day
- Try to keep a supply of plenty of frozen foods, snacks and other non-perishables. That way, preparing a meal is easy and quick whenever you need it
- If you have diarrhea, avoid spicy and sour food, and food that is high in sugar and fat
- Try to avoid sugary drinks such as soft drinks and fruit juice
- To prevent weight loss, eat more high-fat foods like cheeses, cream-based foods and yogurts, or high-calorie drinks like fresh fruit juice or yogurt drinks
The worsening of a disease/condition over time
A formal documentation when someone else is given the responsibility to manage your affairs and make certain decisions on your behalf
Refers to the lungs
A group of tests used to check how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they supply oxygen to the rest of the body14
A type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels to the lungs and the right side of the heart15
Therapy that provides relief from symptoms to help patients live more comfortably with their disease13
Administration of oxygen as a medical intervention11
A small plastic tube or prongs that fit in the nostrils to deliver supplementary oxygen11
Listening to and playing music as a therapy which aims to ease the symptoms of those living with IPF
A sleep disorder characterised by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep12
A specialist who helps someone recover or live with their symptoms more easily
A machine that removes other gases from the air to provide oxygen for oxygen therapy11
An education and exercise program designed to improve the quality of life for people with lung conditions16
A physician specialised in lung problems (also known as a respirologist)
A product that gives protection against a specific infection
A test used to monitor oxygen levels in a patient’s blood, usually with a non-invasive sensor11
A breathing technique to help control breathlessness and reduce anxiety17
A disease that affects only a small percentage of the population
Something that is associated with an increased risk of disease or infection
A technique that helps to reduce stress and anxiety by helping to understand and manage your emotions
Therapies used alongside conventional treatments that help treat symptoms and may improve overall physical and mental wellbeing
A medical study that investigates how safe and effective a new therapy or technique is for treating a certain disease
A disease or condition that occurs at the same time as another disease or condition
A device to deliver compressed air to improve sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnoea6
A disease where a waxy substance (plaque) builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle7
A type of chronic disease that typically worsens over time and is characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are older terms used for COPD5
Refers to the heart, and blood vessels
A type of medication that aims to slow the scarring and stiffening of lungs to slow disease progression2
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood takes place
A test that shows how well the lungs are working by measuring how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in the blood. This test requires that a small volume of blood be drawn from the patient3
Techniques that involve breathing in a certain way to control breathlessness and strengthen your lungs
A procedure in which a bronchoscope (a medical instrument like a tube) is passed through the mouth or nose into the lung and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination4
A lung condition where the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) become damaged5
Extreme weariness resulting from exertion or illness
Of unknown cause
Rapid and uncontrolled breathing
A disease where there is progressive scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause4
The surgical removal of cells or tissue samples from the lung for examination by a pathologist10
The lung tissue becomes thickened and stiff
A test that uses a type of X-ray that produces multiple, detailed images of areas inside the body4
A burning sensation in the chest, which can spread to the throat, along with a sour taste in the mouth
Where inflamed tissue is replaced with scar tissue, making it thicken and become stiffer4
A symptom where the ends of the fingers become wider and rounder8
A digestive disease where stomach acid moves up out of the stomach and irritates the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus)9
A physician specializing in the management of diseases of the digestive system
An event characterized by sudden, severe worsening of symptoms or an increase in disease severity1
Your treatment team may be able to put you in contact with a registered dietician, who can help you build an effective nutritional plan to support your health while living with pulmonary fibrosis
Key Takeaways
-
Eating a healthy diet can help to maintain a healthy weight and ensure you have enough energy each day
-
A poor diet can cause low energy, affect your mental wellbeing and lower your immune system
-
Adapting your eating habits can help maintain your health
Show references
Hide references
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1.
Poulain N, Doucet M, Major GC, et al. The effect of obesity on chronic respiratory diseases: pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies. CMAJ. 2006;174(9):1293–1299.
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2.
British Lung Foundation. Eating well with a lung condition: How do I maintain a healthy weight? Available at: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/eating-well/maintain-a-healthy-weight/. [Accessed April 2019].
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3.
NHS Choices. Eat well. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/. [Accessed April 2019].
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4.
British Lung Foundation. Eating well with a lung condition. Available at: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/eating-well/eating-a-healthy-diet/. [Accessed April 2019].
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5.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Available at: https://www.chss.org.uk/documents/2013/11/living-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-pdf.pdf/. [Accessed April 2019].
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6.
Nutrition and Pulmonary Fibrosis. American Lung Association. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pulmonary-fibrosis/patients/living-well-with-pulmonary-fibrosis/nutrition.html/. [Accessed April 2019].
Also in this section
Quitting smoking
Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do when living with pulmonary fibrosis
Exercise
Gentle exercise can help you stay healthy for longer and improve your overall wellbeing
Sleep
Living with pulmonary fibrosis can be tiring, so it is important you get the right amount of sleep
Relaxation
Managing your stress and emotions is an important part of living well with pulmonary fibrosis
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