What to eat If you are trying to lose weight, according to Nutritionist Career

Many of my clients tell me they eat pretty healthfully ... until dinnertime rolls around. Tired and famished, they put in a takeout order, then wolf down cheese and crackers until it arrives. Or they open a bottle of wine, which leads to a night of continuous nibbling in front of the TV. If you find yourself in a similar rut, there is a way to break the pattern: The trick to consistently eating a healthful, balanced dinner—especially one that supports your weight-loss goals—is to think about your evening meal in advance. Here are five easy options.

When you're in no mood to cook ...

Call you local Chinese restaurant and order a double portion of steamed vegetables with steamed shrimp, and a side of brown rice. Then, while you’re waiting for it, make your own sauce so you can skirt the sugar- and starch-laden version that typically comes with takeout. In a small bowl, stir together two tablespoons of unsweetened almond butter, a tablespoon of brown rice vinegar, and a teaspoon of honey. Add a half teaspoon each of fresh grated ginger and minced garlic, and one-eighth teaspoon of crushed red pepper. When your dinner arrives, toss the warm veggies and shrimp in the almond mixture to coat well, and serve over a half cup of brown rice.

If you need to snack first  ...

When you've already gone hours without food, it can be tough to wait to eat till dinner is ready. Try portioning out a quarter cup of almonds, and pop them in your mouth one at a time while you make a quick, simple soup.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, sauté a quarter cup of minced yellow onion in two tablespoons of low-sodium vegetable broth until onions are translucent. Add a half cup of additional broth, a cup of chopped kale, a teaspoon each of garlic and Italian seasoning, a one-eighth teaspoon each of sea salt and crushed red pepper, and a one-sixteenth teaspoon of black pepper.

Stir in one cup of chopped veggies of your choice, like sliced grape tomatoes and cauliflower florets. Bring to a brief boil, covered, and then reduce to a simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Add a portion of lean protein, like three ounces of extra-lean ground turkey or a half cup of white beans, and if desired, a teaspoon of fresh dill. Stir to heat through, and serve.

If you're into meal prepping ...

On Sunday whip up a veggie frittata you can reheat (or enjoy cold) during the week. Whisk a half dozen eggs, and then add a quarter cup of unsweetened almond milk, a half tablespoon of Dijon, a half teaspoon each of minced garlic and Italian seasoning, and an eighth teaspoon each of black pepper and sea salt. Set aside.

In a medium sauté pan over low heat, combine a tablespoon of EVOO, a cup of chopped kale or spinach, and a cup of chopped veggies of your choice, such as broccoli florets, onion, and bell pepper. Pour egg mixture into frittata pan. Evenly spoon in veggies, along with a cup of black beans. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 40-45 minutes.

If you prefer to graze throughout the evening ...

Try this combo you can eat at your leisure: Rinse three ounces of pre-cooked ready-to-eat frozen shrimp under cold water to thaw, and dip into a tablespoon of dairy-free pesto. Make a quick salad from baby spinach or chopped romaine, dressed with a combo of one tablespoon balsamic mixed with a teaspoon each of fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard, and a half teaspoon of Italian seasoning. For dessert, reach for a cup of loose fruit you can eat one piece at a time with your hands (like grapes or berries) or use a fork to eat a cup of chopped fresh fruit, like kiwi, apple, or pear.

When you need dinner NOW ...

Mix three ounces of canned wild salmon with one teaspoon of Dijon mustard and two tablespoons of olive tapenade. Slice a bell pepper in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and stuff with the salmon mixture. Dinner done!

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8 Curious bilberry benefit

The health benefits of bilberry with relief of diet and injury problems. For many years, the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cranberry have been valued for their effectiveness in various disorders including diabetes, cancer, liver and cancer. The rich ingredient of cranberry protein is valuable for maintaining the health of the body, health and immune system, unhealthy blood vessels and the best function of the body ....

What is bilberry?
The cranberry plant is a relative relative of blueberries and is among many species of the Ericaceae family. These are the best seeds that are native to northern Europe and that their health benefits from the normal diet of European medicines for centuries. Today, they have been planted in North Asia, Europe and North America and he was recording the most desirable elements of the treatment, cakes and jams and for his ability to treat health conditions.

The cranberry extends, under growth, deciduous shrub with fewer branches that bloom registered rosaceous and bright green leaves, oval and pointed. The plant produces dark green tea in the summer and can be used fresh or in fresh form.

Nutritional value
Cranberry is the material with the main vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and vitamin K (phylloquinone). The minerals it contains include oil, chromium, manganese, zinc and iron. It is rich in alkaloids, carbonic acids and the number of phenolics such as quercetin, anthocyanins, tannins, pectin, and catechins.

Health benefits
Many parts of the cranberry plant, such as leaves and dried or dried fruit, are used in the preparation of medications. These are the first ways you can use these fruits to cure many deadly diseases;

Antioxidant power
The antioxidant power of cranberry makes it very effective. The fruit of the cranberry plant is chemical compounds called anthocyanosides. Chemicals produced in a water-based production include complex compounds. They are looking for basic bases, not respiratory, that are made during power and their abilities. This safety function prevents the appearance of many problems caused by oxidative disorders.

Sales controls
The science of cranberry for the prevention and diagnosis of diabetes has been considered from the beginning and has been developed by recent scientific findings. It helps to establish blood sugar levels in the body, due to the abundant advice of anthocyanins. The proposal suggests that the decision to eat cranberry helps improve the conditions of hyperglycemia and the appearance of insulin in the person suffering 2.

Keeping Liver LiverBilberry is doing a protective effect against the stomach lid that causes malignant liver due to the evidence of antioxidants. Scientific research has shown that the functioning and calculation of the biology fertilization applications of the glutathione and vitamin C is in the body and reduces the risk of nitric air in the liver liver.

Damage

Bilberry extracts have been found to be effective against the development of other influenza viruses with cancer, malaria, and leukemia. A research study made on different berries dropped bilberry to be the most potentially restricted force of the cells. This is because of the appearance of organs that come as delphinidin and glycosides in bilberry. They prevent extra egg cells and cause apoptosis to be.

Keep track of the Eye

Bilberry is a vital health care provider. Scientific studies have also noted that the suspension of bilberry is in the prevention of osteoarthritis in the lateral age along with other eyes as the figure and weather blindness. Strongly active components within it are helpful for help and can be useful for the rehabilitation and development of cell epithelial cells. Another study based on bilberry also suggested that the amoria-rate activity is a beneficial advantage that protects the eyes from uveitis. Its records help rhodopsin steroids support the face to adapt to light changes.

Damage Damage Acne

Another wonderful advantage of the bilberry is its defense against kidney damage. Scientific research has shown that the addition of its materials helps to solve most of the major obstacles with the creatin levels, nitrogen and urine fluid. This is due to antioxidant implantation of bilberry, which improves oxygen respiratory fluid in the liver, thus protecting it from the harm of immune material.

Improvements of Protection

Bilberry is a key factor in maintaining healthy health, one of the major causes of death around the world. This biological protection is a defect of anthocyan antelone in the bilberry, which helps improve LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in the body. Research studies have also highlighted positive effects on its fruit on blood pressure and intestines that lead to the synthesis of the plate of the muscle and the liver tissue. Another study suggests that the biological and arrhythmic effects of bilberry on the heart help the coronary heart and are a tool in the prevention of many heart disease such as atherosclerosis.

The effects of Antimicrobial

Bilberry contains the organs of the organs of the substance that has been shown to perform antimicrobial activity. This successful step of bilberry works against human pathogens features including salmonella, H.pylori, Bacillus, Clostridium and Staphylococcus aureus, and prevents the development of related diseases. Recent scientific findings also show the power that emerges from the formation of anti-malaria organisms.

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13 Tricks for Flat-Belly

Pros share their top sleek-stomach tips

Don't even think about sucking it in so you'll fit into those cute fitted white jeans: There are less-painful and longer-lasting ways to get the amazing middle you crave. We went straight to experts to get their very best advice for quickly shrinking your tummy. Here are the surprising foods, tricks, and moves they swear by. Their genius tips will help you shed inches and pounds, banish the bloat, and feel even more gorgeous. Hello, skinny jeans!

Eat at this magic hour

"You must eat a snack that contains protein between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Go for a protein bar, a piece of low-fat cheese, or some almonds with an organic apple. 

No matter what, do not miss that snack. It's important because it boosts metabolism and balances blood sugar. The lower you keep your blood sugar, the lower you keep your insulin, and insulin makes you store fat around your middle. Eating every three to four hours will keep your blood sugar even, but many people tend to go five or six hours between lunch and dinner without eating." 

—Natasha Turner, naturopathic doctor, author of The Hormone Diet

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Have a ball

"My No. 1 tip: Do the ball exchange three times a week. Lay flat on your back with your arms above your head and legs straight out. Start with a stability ball above your head in your hands. Bring the ball up above your chest as you bring your legs up to meet the ball and place it between your ankles. Bring the ball back down to the floor with your legs and straighten your arms back out over your head. 

Repeat the ball exchange 10 to 12 times, remembering to keep your lower back pressed into the floor as you do this move." 

—LaReine Chabut, author of Exercise Balls for Dummies

Beef up on this belly-zapping hormone

"Eat as close to zero grams of sugar as possible. This will keep insulin levels low and also keep levels of glucagon high. Glucagon, a hormone, is the best friend you could ever have in the struggle for a flat belly! Picture Ms. Pac-Man traveling around your waistline, gobbling up fat to be used as energy. That is glucagon. 

The closer to zero grams of sugar you consume, the lower your insulin and the higher your glucagon...it's as simple as that." 

—Jorge Cruise, author of The Belly Fat Cure

Chew on this

"Chewing is the No. 1 tip I give to prevent bloating. Chew food until it is like applesauce in your mouth. Digestion begins in the mouth, and without proper chewing, food is not well-digested. Better-digested food means less gas and bloating." 

—Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, author of The Flexitarian Diet

Put crunches last on your flat-belly list (for real!)

"I recommend the DCBA approach: Diet first, Cardio second, Building muscle third, and Abs exercises last. Follow it and you can safely lose one to two pounds a week. Spend 60 minutes a day preparing healthier meals. Spend 20 minutes a day three to five times weekly doing cardio. Spend 15 minutes a day three times a week strength training. Finally, spend 5 minutes a day three times a week doing abs exercises." 

—Myatt Murphy, author of The Body You Want in the Time You Have 

Watch the video: 5 Best Moves for Flatter Abs  

Shake on the sea salt

"The culprit making your tummy bloat? It could be the salt in your diet. Use natural sea salt or kosher salt, which is lower in sodium teaspoon for teaspoon than traditional table salts. And stay away from soy sauce: Even low-sodium soy sauce is still high in sodium and will cause practically instant bloating. 

Instead, flavor your food with a little fresh tomato salsa or a hint of cayenne pepper, which has an added benefit of boosting metabolism." 

Punch it out and lose 2 inches fast

"Add boxing to your cardio routine. When you throw punches with weights or at a fast pace, you're working your core in a way that helps to flatten your midsection. You must engage your core to throw punches, and twisting your torso works all the ab muscles. 

Boxing also gives you a cardio workout that burns extra calories. Add 16 minutes of boxing three times a week to your regular cardio routine (30 minutes at high intensity four to five times a week), and you can lose up to 2 inches from your waist in four weeks. Simply throw punches while holding 1- or 2-pound weights for 8 minutes, alternating arms, then repeat without weights at a faster pace for 8 more minutes." 

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Try the flat-belly cheat

"Play up a different body part to draw attention from your middle. 

If it's your legs, wear skirts or slim pants. Shoulders—bare them even if just a bit with a boatneck or sweetheart neckline. Cleavage? Make sure your bra does its job. If your bra rides up in the back, the bra has likely stretched out. If it accentuates back flab or if the space between the cups doesn’t lie flat, go up a size." 

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Size matters

"Eating portion-controlled meals that include whole-grain foods and monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) throughout the day is the best way to eat for a flat belly: People who eat whole grains lose more abdominal fat. And making most of the fats you eat MUFAs reduces ab flab, research says." —Keri Glassman, RD, author of The O2 Diet andThe Snack Factor Diet

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The ultimate flat-belly menu

Best breakfast: A slice of whole-wheat bread with natural peanut butter and 1 cup of your favorite berries. 

Best lunch: Spinach salad with sliced avocado, grilled firm tofu, and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with a little olive oil and fresh lemon juice. 

Best dinner: Grilled salmon, a roasted sweet potato, and sautéed asparagus with olive oil and garlic. 

Best snack: A cup of fat-free yogurt with 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds.

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Laugh it up!

"The best thing for your abs is laughing. Every time you laugh it strengthens your abs. There are even laughing yoga classes (Go to Laughter Yoga to find a class near you). If you start busting a gust, you are absolutely toning your abs." 

Plank often

“The plank is a favorite, but we take it to another level opening and closing the legs like scissors while at the same time raising and dropping the hips! So not only are you strengthening the core but also timing the hips, thighs and waist. [We also do] the trunk twist along with a back row using the bands. The benefit of this exercise will give you flat abs and coke bottle obliques while removing those fat handles from the back and arms.”

Work all of your core

“First and foremost you have to train your abs on all three planes. You have to train them forward and back with something like a crunch or double crunch. You have to train your abs laterally to hit the obliques with something like a dumbbell side bend. And you have to train your abs on a rotational plane—your transverse abs—and you can do that from a seated trunk twist."

—Lady Gaga's trainer, Harley Pasternak, to Rodale Wellness

Skip processed foods

"Refined grains like white bread, crackers, and chips, as well as refined sugars in sweetened drinks and desserts increase inflammation in our bodies. Belly fat is associated with inflammation, so eating too many processed foods will hinder your ability to lose belly fat. Natural foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are full of antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties and may therefore actually prevent belly fat.”

—Kate Patton, RD at Cleveland Clinic

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5 types of food or drinks that are detrimental to your teeth

5 types of food or drinks that are detrimental to your teeth

There are many types of food, we expose our teeth to.  But there are some that we should never expose our teeth to.  Here are 5 types of food or drinks we should avoid.

1. Junk food

We often enjoy eating lollies, chocolate and other types of junk food.  These food are packed with fat and sugar.  Fat contained in these food can cause weight gain, but sugar loaded in them may be detrimental to both health and teeth all the consumers.

Very often, these food may stick on your teeth and bacteria in your mouth will produce an acid which causes demineralization of your teeth surfaces. In the long run, this may cause dental decay which leads to dental problems like dental abscess if left untreated.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentist discourage people from consuming or overindulging in junk food.

2. Sports drinks

Sports drinks are designed to replenish a person especially after vigorous exercise or sports events. Sports drinks are also loaded with sugar and are very acidic.

The sugar contained in sports drinks will stick to teeth surfaces for prolonged period and may cause dental decay in the presence of bacteria.  The acid will cause erosion to teeth surfaces.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists encourage our customers to avoid sports drinks but to drink water instead.

3. Energy drinks

Energy drinks are very popular among our younger generation.  With slick advertising, the energy drinks have become widely used.

These drinks are loaded with sugar and caffeine.  Sugar contained in energy drinks may cause decay in teeth, while the caffeine in these drinks may cause dehydration, increased appetite and may also cause teeth staining.  These may in turn cause bad breath due to dryness in mouths.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists always remind our customers of examining carefully contents of these energy drinks and if possible, keep them to the minimum.

4. Citrus fruits

Orange, grapefruit and lemon are among the citrus fruits which are detrimental to your teeth. While they complement our food well, sucking on them or overindulging in them are bad for your teeth and overall health.

Citric acid in these fruits may cause severe erosion in your teeth.  Eroded teeth are often linked to development of sensitivity in teeth to temperature.  Severe erosion of teeth may sometimes cause the loss of teeth structure causing nerve of teeth to be exposed and pain.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists recommend not to use excessive amount of citrus fruits.

5. Fruit juices and Soft drinks

Fruit juices and soft drinks are also loaded with plenty of sugar.  Whether these sugar are natural sugar or added sugar, excessive sugar in drinks again will cause weight gain and cause our teeth to be prone to dental decay.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists suggest these drinks if they need to be consumed, use straws so they are not exposed to our teeth.

About the author

DR Choong Chai (DENTIST)

Dr Choong Chai is a principal dentist at Valley Gentle Dental . We are conveniently located in Seymour Street, Traralgon. We take great pride in restoring your smile and maintaining your optimal oral health. We are preferred providers for NIB, HCF and Smile.com.au.

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What is emphysema?

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The air sacs in the lungs become damaged and stretched. This results in a chronic cough and difficulty breathing.

Smoking is the most common cause, but emphysema can also be genetic. There is no cure, but quitting smoking can stop emphysema from getting worse.

In the United States (U.S.), 3.5 million people, or 1.5 percent of the population, received a diagnosis of emphysema in 2016. The number of deaths involving emphysema was 7,455, or 2.3 people in every 100,000.

Fast facts on emphysema

Here are some key points about emphysema. More information is in the body of this article.

• Most cases of emphysema are due to cigarette smoking.
• Shortness of breath and cough are the main symptoms of emphysema.
• Doctors diagnose COPD and emphysema with lung function tests that measure lung capacity.
• Treatment includes medications, the use of an inhaler, respiratory assistance and possibly surgery.
• Treatment does not halt or reverse lung damage, but it can ease symptoms and prevent attacks.
• Vaccinations can help prevent additional diseases that could become dangerous alongside emphysema.

What is emphysema?

Smoking is one of the key triggers of emphysema in those who are genetically predisposed to the condition.

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It involves the loss of elasticity and enlargement of the air sacs in the lung.

The alveoli at the end of the bronchioles of the lung become enlarged because their walls break down or the air sacs are destroyed, narrowed, collapsed, stretched, or over-inflated.

Having fewer and larger damaged sacs means there is a reduced surface area for the exchange of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of it.

The damage is permanent. The ability to breathe properly cannot be fully recovered.

Symptoms

Two of the key symptoms of emphysema are shortness of breath and a chronic cough. These appear in the early stages.

A person with shortness of breath, or dyspnea, feels being unable to catch a breath.

This may start only during physical exertion, but as the disease progresses, it can start to happen during rest, too.

Emphysema and COPD develop over a number of years.

In the later stages, the person may have:

A chronic cough is one of the early signs of emphysema, alongside shortness of breath.

• frequent lung infections
• a lot of mucus
• wheezing
• reduced appetite and weight loss
• fatigue
• blue-tinged lips or fingernail beds, or cyanosis, due to a lack of oxygen
• anxiety and depression
• sleep problems
• morning headaches due to a lack of oxygen, when breathing at night is difficult

Other conditions share many of the symptoms of emphysema and COPD, so it is important to seek medical advice.

Treatment

Treatment of COPD and emphysema aims to stabilize the condition and prevent complications through the use of medication and supportive therapy.

Supportive therapy includes oxygen therapy and help with smoking cessation.

Drug therapies

The main type of medication used for COPD and emphysema are inhaled bronchodilators to relieve symptoms.

These help by relaxing and opening the air passages in the lungs.

Bronchodilators that are supplied though the inhalers include:

• Beta-agonists, which relax bronchial smooth muscle and increase mucociliary clearance
• Anticholinergics, or antimuscarinics, which relax bronchial smooth muscle.

These drugs are equally effective when regularly used to improve lung function and increase exercise capacity.

There are short-acting and long-acting drugs, and these can be combined.

The choice depends on individual factors, preferences, and symptoms.

Examples include albuterol, formoterol, indacaterol, and salmeterol.

Corticosteroid drugs, such as fluticasone, may also help. The steroids are inhaled as an aerosol spray. They can help relieve symptoms of emphysema associated with asthma and bronchitis.

Corticosteroids may help people with poorly controlled symptoms who regularly experience exacerbations despite using a bronchodilator.

In patients who continue to smoke, corticosteroids do not alter the course of the disease, but they can relieve symptoms and improve short-term lung function in some patients.

Used alongside bronchodilators, they can reduce the frequency of attacks.

However, there is a long-term risk of side-effects that include osteoporosis and cataract formation.

Oxygen therapy

Oxygen therapy can greatly improve the quality of life for those with emphysema.

As emphysema progresses and respiratory function declines, independent breathing becomes more difficult.

Oxygen therapy improves oxygen delivery to the lungs. Oxygen can be supplemented by using a range of devices, some of them for home use.

Options include electrically driven oxygen concentrators, liquid oxygen systems, or cylinders of compressed gas, depending on needs and how much time the person spends outdoors or at home.

Oxygen therapy can be administered 24 hours a day or 12 hours at night.

It prolongs life for people with advanced COPD and emphysema.

Patients will be monitored for oxygen saturation to prevent oxygen toxicity.

Air travel may create the need for supplemental oxygen due to the lower flight cabin air pressure.

Surgery

People with severe emphysema sometimes undergo surgery to reduce lung volume or carry out a lung transplantation.

Lung volume reduction surgery removes small wedges of the damaged, emphysematous, lung tissue.

This is thought to enhance lung recoil and to improve the function of the diaphragm. In severe cases, this can improve lung function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life.

Lung transplantation improves quality of life, but not life-expectancy, for people with severe emphysema.

Lifelong drug therapy is necessary to prevent the immune system from rejecting the new tissue. One or both lungs may be transplanted.

Treatment of exacerbations

Complications can be managed using drug and oxygen therapy. Antibiotics can help in cases of bacterial infection.

Most exacerbations are treated with corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone, and oxygen therapy.

Opioid drugs may relieve severe coughing and pain may be relieved by opioid drugs.

In 2014, scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston succeeded in growing human lungs using stem cells. In the future, this could offer hope for people with emphysema and other lung conditions.

Pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle management

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of care for people with emphysema.

It aims to help people improve their lifestyle by quitting smoking, following a healthful diet, and getting some exercise.

Drinking plenty of water can help keep the airways clear by loosening the mucus.

In winter, avoiding cold air can prevent muscular spasms. A scarf around the mouth or a cold-air face mask may help.

These changes may not alter the overall course of the illness, but they can help people live with the condition, and improve exercise capacity and quality of life.

Exercises that can help improve breathing include diaphragmatic breathing, purse-lip breathing, and deep breathing.

Causes

Cigarette smoking is responsible for at least 85 percent of cases of emphysema and COPD.

However, not all smokers will develop it, only those who are genetically susceptible.

Other inhaled toxins that can lead to emphysema and COPD include work-related ones. In some countries, smoke from indoor cooking and heating is the main cause.

Other contributory risk factors are:

• low body weight
• air pollution
• occupational dust, such as mineral dust or cotton dust
• inhaled chemicals, including coal, grains, isocyanates, cadmium
• childhood respiratory disorders, either a viral infection, or possibly asthma

Exposure to passive cigarette smoke is thought to be a minor contributor.

Some people have a deficiency of a protein, α1-antitrypsin. This is a genetic factor that can lead to a rare form of emphysema.

α1-antitrypsin protects the lungs against the destruction of alveolar tissue by neutrophil elastase.

This deficiency is congenital. People are born with it. These people can develop emphysema at a relatively early age, without ever smoking.

Smoking does, however, accelerate emphysema in people who are genetically susceptible.

Emphysema is not contagious. One person cannot catch it from another.

Types

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it can be classified into different types, depending on which part of the lungs is affected.

The different types are:

• paraseptal
• centrilobular, affecting mainly the upper lobes; this is most common in smokers
• panlobular, affecting both paraseptal and centrilobular areas

Stages

The stages of emphysema have been described by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).

The stages are based on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

• Very mild or Stage 1: FEV1 is about 80 percent of normal
• Moderate or Stage 2: FEV1 is between 50 and 80 percent of normal
• Severe or Stage 3: FEV1 is between 30 and 50 percent of normal
• Very severe or Stage 4: FEV1 is lower than in Stage 3, or the same as Stage 3 but with low blood oxygen levels

The stages help describe the condition, but they cannot predict how long a person is likely to survive. Doctors can carry out tests to know more about how serious a person's condition is.

Diagnosis

A doctor will carry out a physical examination and ask the patient about their symptoms and medical history.

Some diagnostic tests may also be used, to confirm that the patient has emphysema rather than asthma and heart failure.

If the patient has never smoked, a test may be carried out to see if the person has an α1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Lung function tests

Lung function tests are used to confirm a diagnosis of emphysema, to monitor disease progression, and to assess response to treatment.

They measure the capacity of the lungs to exchange respiratory gases and include spirometry.

Spirometry assesses airflow obstruction. It takes measurements according to the reduction in forced expiratory volume after bronchodilator treatment.

In this test, patients blow as fast and hard as possible into a tube. The tube is attached to a machine that measures the volume and speed of air blown out.

Forced expiratory volume in one second is abbreviated to FEV.

The four stages of COPD from mild to severe are determined by FEV.

Other tests

Other tests used by doctors in the process of diagnosing COPD and emphysema include:

• imaging, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan of the lungs
• arterial blood gas analysis to assess oxygen exchange

Prevention

Avoiding or quitting smoking is the best way to prevent emphysema or stop it from getting worse.

Vaccination

Vaccination can help prevent COPD and emphysema from getting worse.

An annual flu immunization is required, and a 5-yearly one against pneumonia may be recommended.

Nutrition

Reduced lung capacity places higher energy demand on daily activities, so people with emphysema can be at risk of weight loss and nutritional deficiency.

Some people with emphysema are overweight or obese, and they are encouraged to lose weight, as these conditions can lead to further ill health.

A healthful diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains and a low intake of fat and sugar is important.

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