Well that would be a positive for me cause Im way over weight.
January 15
Is weight and muscle loss common with COPD, especially in the thighs and arms?
Yes, weight and muscle loss are common with COPD and can definitely affect your thighs and arms. This happens for several reasons:
- Your body uses significantly more energy to breathe with COPD - up to 10 times more calories than someone Show Full Answer
Is weight and muscle loss common with COPD, especially in the thighs and arms?
Yes, weight and muscle loss are common with COPD and can definitely affect your thighs and arms. This happens for several reasons:
- Your body uses significantly more energy to breathe with COPD - up to 10 times more calories than someone without lung disease
- Between 40% to 70% of people with COPD experience unintentional weight loss
- The increased effort required to breathe can reduce your appetite
- Inflammation and oxidative stress from COPD contribute to muscle breakdown
- Reduced energy levels may limit your physical activity, leading to muscle loss
The muscle and weight loss can further weaken your body, making it harder to manage daily activities and your overall health. Meeting with a registered dietitian nutritionist can be really helpful. They can work with you to:
- Ensure you're getting enough calories and protein
- Develop strategies to maintain a healthy weight
- Add high-calorie snacks to your diet
- Find easy-to-digest foods that work for you
A MyCOPDTeam member shared being on a "get-fat diet" for months, working hard to gain and maintain weight. Small, frequent meals with nutrient-dense foods can make a real difference when you're dealing with this challenge.
January 15
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