COPD belly is where a person with COPD experiences abdominal swelling and abdominal bloating.
COPD belly is commonly experienced by people that have COPD, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The COPD belly in people with COPD is mainly caused by hyperinflated "long" lungs that press against the diaphragm, swallowed air form shallow breathing or use of oxygen and even poor digestion.
The reason COPD belly occurs is due to hyperinflated lungs, aerophagia and even medications.
In hyperinflated lungs with COPD, the damaged lungs over time become less elastic and trap air and they expand and push down on your diaphragm and crowd your stomach.
In aerophagia with COPD, shortness of breath can cause you to swallow air without you realizing you swallowed the air, which leads to trapped gas.
And some COPD treatments and sleep apnea or CPAP machines can also lead to bloating and stomach gas, which can result in COPD belly.
To manage COPD belly, eat smaller and frequent meals and avoid large meals as large meals crowd your lungs and worsen shortness of breath.
You can also practice belly breathing, which lowers the diaphragm and can help regulate your breath.
And limit the gas producing foods that you eat and carbonated beverages as these increase gas on your stomach and intestines and can make the COPD belly worse.
If the bloating is severe, persistent or is accompanied by any acute pain you should contact your doctor immediately.
COPD is a progressive lung disease which makes breathing difficult by blocking airflow and causing inflammation.
COPD mainly includes two conditions, which include damaged air sacs or emphysema and chronic bronchitis which is inflamed airways.
The symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, a chronic cough that produces excess mucus and wheezing and chest tightness.
The causes and risk factors of COPD include smoking, genetics and environmental factors.
Smoking is the leading cause of COPD, although even people who don't smoke can develop COPD.
Long term exposure to lung irritants like chemical fumes, dust or secondhand smoke can also cause COPD.
And a rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can also cause COPD.
COPD is not curable, once you get it, but it's highly treatable using medications and lifestyle changes.