COPD is a lung disease that has serious consequences. The number of sufferers is increasing. With the exception of Europe, more people die from COPD in the world than from respiratory cancer. How can we help ourselves naturally and why can CBD – cannabidiol from hemp – also help us?

What is COPD?

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a group of chronic lung diseases that obstruct or block the flow of air in the lungs. The result is difficulty breathing and impaired lung function. It is characterized, for example, by damage or collapse of the lung air sacs (alveoli). The alveoli are where oxygen from inhaled air is transferred to the blood, and carbon dioxide from the blood to the lungs and then out of the body. Damaged alveoli lose their elasticity and can collapse when you exhale, preventing air filled with CO2 from leaving the lungs. When an alveolus collapses, air-filled cavities appear in its place - a problem also described professionally as emphysema. This condition can no longer be corrected or cured. In addition to the alveoli, COPD also affects the bronchi. These become chronically inflamed, causing the airways to narrow and fill with mucus, which makes breathing difficult.

A person with COPD has difficulty breathing, becomes short of breath, is tired, may feel dizzy, coughs due to mucus buildup (especially in the morning), and is prone to frequent respiratory infections. As the disease progresses, swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, bluish lips, depression, weight loss, and weakness of the respiratory muscles and muscles throughout the body may also occur.

The causes of COPD include anything that causes irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract. These factors include, for example, occupational exposure to irritating gases, fumes, smoke and dust, such as in paint shops, paint mixers, additive factories, pharmaceutical and chemical factories, wood processing plants, mines, etc. This also includes occupational exposure to fuel fumes, smoke and gas and charcoal from grilling by cooks, and smoke exposure by firefighters, etc.

In addition, COPD can also be caused by long-term heavy smoking. The development of COPD is said to be even more likely if a person with asthma smokes. Let me mention the interesting fact that there are differences depending on what the person smokes. For example, a study conducted on humans reveals that those who smoke exclusively cannabis are not at risk of developing COPD, but only those who smoke cannabis and cigarettes. There is probably a reason why not all cigarette smokers develop COPD. COPD only develops in about 20 percent of smokers. Two of the reasons may be the quality of the tobacco and the presence of additives. These are used to make cigarette smoke easier to inhale (e.g. menthol), relieve respiratory irritation, improve the appearance, aroma, color and smell of cigarette smoke (it is more glamorous – abundant, white, fragrant, etc.), preserve it, and the list goes on. The European Commission's Scientific Committee states that additives account for 10 percent of the weight of a cigarette. Thus, approximately 600 different additives have been officially registered. Read more about the harmfulness of cigarette additives here.
Risk factors for developing COPD include aging, hereditary predisposition, and severe respiratory diseases in childhood.

How can we help ourselves in a natural way?

COPD is a serious problem. According to WHO data from June 2018, COPD has reached 7th place worldwide among the causes of mortality, while respiratory cancer was in 17th place. Therefore, it is good for a person with this problem to take a holistic approach to managing it and stopping its progression. In addition to classical medical therapy (quitting smoking and withdrawing other lung irritants, therapy with anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids), bronchodilators and antidepressants, cell therapy, etc.) carried out by official medicine, there are also numerous natural measures available that can comprehensively support a person with COPD.

This also includes taking care of quality food that supports the body holistically. For people with COPD, quality food is especially important, as it can prevent or mitigate weight loss, which is typical of this disease. Food should therefore be as natural, organic as possible, as little processed, preserved or loaded with additives, etc. Part of the food consumed should also be raw and lactic acid fermented. Quality food can also help the body manage inflammation, as it is not only a source of energy, but also of vital substances necessary for deacidification (e.g. basic minerals), detoxification (e.g. chlorophyll), direct inhibition of inflammation (e.g. omega 3, vitamin D, magnesium, curcumin from turmeric ...), alleviation of oxidative stress (e.g. vitamins A, C and E) and more. When the diet is not optimal, it is good to supplement it with at least the following vital substances: omega 3, vitamin D, magnesium and vitamins A, E and C, as people with COPD often lack them.

Support from herbal preparations and natural methods can also be welcome, as they help to: thin mucus, open constricted airways (thus making coughing and breathing easier), improve immunity and sleep, and manage psychological distress, as many people with COPD fall into anxiety and depression.

It is also extremely important to maintain the muscle condition of the respiratory muscles and the muscles of the whole body. Advanced forms of COPD can affect not only the respiratory muscles, but also the muscles of the whole body. In order to maintain muscle functionality for as long as possible, it is therefore desirable to take care of physical activity, perform breathing exercises, etc.

How does CBD help?

Previous research suggests that CBD could also be helpful for people with COPD for several reasons. CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation, including in the lungs. A study conducted on mice has shown that CBD could be an important future drug for managing inflammation in the lungs and improving lung function in the event of inflammation. Cannabidiol is a stronger antioxidant than vitamins C and E, so it can help manage oxidative stress (which can also affect lung cells), which is more pronounced in people with COPD. Evidence of this is the fact that the US government registered a patent under number US 6630507 in 2003, entitled "Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants". The document states that cannabinoids are useful in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases associated with oxidative stress, including inflammatory diseases.

1. A. Crippa and colleagues from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and King's College London found that CBD has an effect on anxiety. At high doses, it activates the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A and induces an antidepressant effect. CBD therefore has good potential to support people with COPD who have this problem. Moreover, CBD also helps in quitting addiction. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study shows that CBD inhalations can reduce the urge to smoke cigarettes in people who want to quit smoking. Let me remind you that cigarette smoking is an important factor that can lead to COPD.

In addition to the above, CBD is also known to support quality sleep and the immune system, and has antimicrobial properties, which can also help people with COPD. Improving sleep improves the body's regeneration, and stronger body defenses provide better protection against respiratory infections, which they often suffer from.

Since many people with COPD have more or less affected respiratory tracts and respiratory function, ingesting CBD through the lungs may not be the right way to go. For example, many people prefer to consume CBD under the tongue (such as in the form of CBD drops), where the CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream through the blood vessels and transported throughout the body, including the lungs.

It is also important to inform or consult your treating physician or appropriate therapist about the use of dietary supplements.

Text: Adriana Dolinar, Ph.D.Vet.Med., the president Associations for the Awakening of the Whole Man and an external employee of the information center - Zadravje.net.

Source: https://www.zazdravje.net/zdrava-medicina/utegne-biti-kopb-nevarnejsi-od-raka/