What is PRP for lung rehabilitation?

Plasma rich platelets contains growth factors used to stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue. This procedure involves the use of this blood plasma for the treatment of obstructive lung disease like Asthma

What other therapies are available?

Stem cell therapy is also successfully being used to treat mild COPD. Also the intravenous use of Glutathione; a potent antioxidant and radical scavenger.

How PRP could help decrease lung inflammation?

The recent addition of nebulized platelet treatments has resulted in some successful medical outcomes for patients with COPD, emphysema, and asthma. Inhaled PRP is NOT a cure for COPD, but could be an alternative to patients who had been on steroids for a long time. It could potentially help to improve lung function in COPD patients.

How many treatments are needed?

It depends on the baseline condition of the patient. In our office, we recommend a treatment every 4 weeks

Inhaled PRP for COPD

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), is used as a treatment option for injuries, diseases, and several other medical and skin conditions. PRP is also a treatment option for lung inflammation and diseases. This treatment involves the use of a face mask to inhale the PRP.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases that blocks airflow in the lung and makes it difficult to breathe.

Inhaled PRP for COPD is a treatment whereby PRP is inhaled into the lungs with the use of a face mask.

Does COPD cause rapid weight loss?

People with COPD normally experience weight loss. According to research, damaged lungs can burn more calories as much as 10 times more than normal healthy lungs. The body burns more calories due to increase work of breathing. Weight loss may also be associated with mental health issues.  About 25-45% of COPD patients have experienced a reduction in weight. The progression of COPD leads to higher levels of weight loss. Even if you eat very well, you will most likely still experience weight loss.

How can I gain weight with COPD?

COPD can lead to weight loss. About 1 in every 4 patients with COPD experience drastic weight loss.

However, there are some things you can do to prevent yourself from losing weight and even gaining more weight even if you have COPD. These include:

Eating healthy fats

During digestion, fats do not give the respiratory system a lot of work to do like other foods. Eating more fatty foods will increase your weight gain. Nuts have a high concentration of fats. They add calories and antioxidants to the body. Eat more nuts to increase your weight gain.

Eggs and lean meats

Eggs and lean meats contain a very high amount of protein. Eat more eggs and lean meat to increase the protein content in your body which helps in weight gain. Cakes and steak have high concentration of protein. Ensure you eat more cakes and steaks to gain weight.

Eat dairy foods

Dairy can add a high amount of calories and calcium to your diet. Dairy foods such as cheese, milk, etc, can help to increase weight gain. Drink milkshakes and smoothies that contain protein, fiber, and fat to supplement your meals.

How many calories does a COPD patient need?

The average person with normal heathy lungs requires approximately 50 calories per day for breathing.

Patients with COPD may use up 750 calories per day on breathing alone due to the increased work of breathing. Patients with COPD burn more calories; hence they require more calories every day.

Can I live for 20 years with COPD?

According to the report made by the American Lung Association, COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. However, as a chronic progressive disease, most patients will live with COPD for many years. COPD not curable, however, it is possible for COPD patients to achieve some level of normalcy despite its challenges.

The life expectancy of smokers with stage 1 COPD is 14.0 years, or 0.3 years lower. Life expectancy of smokers with stage 2 COPD is 12.1 years, or 2.2 years lower. Life expectancy of smokers of stage 3 is 8.5 years while the life expectancy of stage 4 COPD is 5.8 years or lower.

What is the 6-minute walk test for COPD?

The distance someone can walk quickly on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes is known as the 6-minute walk test. The test is used to measure a person’s ability to perform daily physical activities.

The 6 min walk test for patients with COPD is used to evaluate physical capacity and the benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients.