Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition which also includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is characterized by shortness of breath and a persistent cough, most commonly caused by smoking or environmental lung irritants such as pollution. With the right treatment plan, patients may find symptom relief and continue to enjoy everyday activities. Show There is no cure for COPD. Instead, COPD treatment focuses on helping patients breathe better by relieving symptoms. There is no standard treatment for COPD. Instead, there is a standard approach to the disease, which includes trying to understand the severity and type of COPD a patient has. If a patient’s disease is due mostly to emphysema, they will likely be treated differently than a patient whose disease is due mostly to chronic bronchitis. The following treatments may be used alone or in combination in treating COPD. LifestyleThe most important step you can take in treating COPD is to quit smoking. Your doctor can help you by recommending programs and products that can help you quit. In addition, joining a support group with other people who are quitting smoking can be very helpful. You should also avoid secondhand smoke, and places where other lung irritants, such as dust, fumes, or toxic substances, are present as much as possible. COPD symptoms may make it difficult to eat enough, so your doctor may recommend an eating plan that includes smaller, more frequent meals, eating after resting for a period of time, or vitamins or other nutritional supplements. Physical activity can help to strengthen the muscles used in breathing and improve your overall wellness. Your doctor can help you determine what kinds of activity are safe for you. In addition, your doctor might recommend pulmonary rehabilitation, which encompasses a variety of methods designed to improve the well-being of people with chronic breathing problems. Rehab may include an exercise program, training in managing COPD, nutritional counseling, and psychological counseling. MedicinesThere are several types of medication that can help to treat COPD:
Surgery and Other TreatmentsSurgery is usually a last resort for people who have more severe symptoms that have not improved with medication and pulmonary rehabilitation. There are three main types of surgery used in treating COPD:
Doctors may also recommend oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy can help people with severe COPD who have low levels of oxygen in their blood to breathe better. The treatment involves administering oxygen through two small tubes that enter the nose (nasal prongs). Some people who receive oxygen therapy need it all the time, while others only need it at certain times (i.e., during exercise or sleep). Learn More About COPD Treatment OptionsIn the following video Dominic Marano, MSN, CRNP, discusses COPD treatment, which can include smoking cessation, medications, and pulmonary rehabilitation. What is the most prescribed medication for COPD?The corticosteroids that doctors most often prescribe for COPD are:. Fluticasone (Flovent). This comes as an inhaler you use twice daily. ... . Budesonide (Pulmicort). This comes as a handheld inhaler or for use in a nebulizer. ... . Prednisolone. This comes as a pill, liquid, or shot.. What is the newest medication for COPD?The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new medication, Stiolto Respimat, to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The medication, developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, combines two different existing COPD drugs with complementary effects into a once-a-day inhaler.
What helps clear lungs with COPD?There are three things you can do to clear your lungs:. Controlled coughing. This type of coughing comes from deep in your lungs. ... . Postural drainage. You lie down in different positions to help drain mucus from your lungs.. Chest percussion. You lightly tap your chest and back.. How do you stop COPD from progressing?Tips to slow the progression of your COPD. Stop smoking. ... . Keep active with exercise. ... . Attend pulmonary rehabilitation. ... . Lungs in Action. ... . Get your vaccinations. ... . Maintain a healthy lifestyle. ... . Take your medicine as instructed.. |