2-Mile Daily Walk Might Help Fight COPD
Study found patients who were more active had fewer hospitalizations from lung condition.
Taking daily walks of at least two miles can reduce hospitalizations from severe episodes of a life-threatening breathing disorder, new research suggests.
Scientists found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients without regular walking regimens had about twice the rate of hospitalizations triggered by the condition compared to those who maintained the highest levels of physical activity. This was defined as walking between roughly two and four miles each day.
The third-leading cause of death in the United States, COPD claims about 134,000 lives annually, according to the American Lung Association. COPD describes a group of progressive respiratory conditions that include emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Smoking is the most common risk factor for the condition, but others include family history and inhaling pollutants such as fumes, chemicals and dust, according to the COPD Foundation.
For the new study, the researchers recruited about 550 COPD patients from five Spanish respiratory clinics. The researchers calculated participants' exercise totals based on self-reported tallies of the distance they walked during the course of a week. The data was compared to hospitalization records and patients were tracked for at least two years.
Patients who maintained moderate or high level of exercise -- which in most cases equated to a walking regimen -- were hospitalized only 53 percent as often as those who didn't walk regularly.
Physical activity is important, as with all diseases, to improving health and quality of life. People used to think that if you have COPD, you shouldn't be physically active. This reinforces that you should.
Expert recommended that COPD patients -- who may have difficulty trekking long distances due to breathlessness -- walk routinely with others or even with a dog to keep motivation levels high. The support of family members and health care providers is crucial to help these patients stick with a walking regimen.
Source: HealthDay News
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