COPD - Senior man sitting on a bench with

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is the name used to describe a number of lung related conditions that affect the airways and make it difficult to breathe. Conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis cause inflammation and damage to the airways, and cause them to get narrower. This is what makes it harder to breathe. Inflammation of the airways and the extra effort required to breathe and carry out day to day activities increases the amount of energy (calories) and protein needed for a person with COPD to maintain their weight and strength. If these increased requirements are not met, weight loss may occur. When breathing is difficult, it can also impact on our ability to eat. Coordinating chewing, swallowing and breathing with COPD can be challenging and may lead to anxiety around eating and reduced intake of food and fluid. This may also result in unintentional weight loss. Learn more about how to support patients with COPD maintain their nutritional intake below.

Getting started

COPD model

Nutrition in the management of COPD

E-learning | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Nutricia Academy
30 minutes
COPD model

Identification of Malnutrition In COPD patients

Articles | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Beverley Bostock-Cox, RGN, MSc, QN
15 mins
Frailty - Elderly man

How do the nutritional requirements of patients with COPD differ from healthy adults?

Videos | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Dr Peter Collins
1 min
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Nutritional intervention in the COPD patient. Nutricia Virtual Congress 2021.

Recorded webinars & presentations | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Nutricia Academy
60 mins
Nurse talking to elderly woman

What are the consequences of malnutrition for both patients and the local healthcare economy?

Videos | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Dr Peter Collins
1 min

Other resources

Frailty - Elderly man

What are the benefits of oral nutritional supplements in COPD?

Videos | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Dr Peter Collins
1 min
Nurse helping elderly woman in a hospital

How can HCPs improve the nutritional management of patients with COPD?

Videos | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Dr Peter Collins
1 min
Nurse giving chest assessment to a woman

How important is it for nutrition to be incorporated into care pathways for disease areas such as COPD?

Videos | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Dr Peter Collins
1 min
Lungs picture

COPD Sarcopenia and patient outcomes

Downloads and Tools for Healthcare Professionals | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Terry Robinson
20 mins
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