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How it is treated
Once diagnosed, the main goal is to manage your COPD so it doesn't get worse.
- When symptoms suddenly get worse, it is called an exacerbation, or flare-up.
- Exacerbations tend to be caused by air pollutants or infection.
- They may require a change in your medication. Sometimes, they may require you to be hospitalized.
There are a number of ways to lessen the impact of COPD.
National guidelines call for a variety of approaches to managing COPD.
- The first step, as noted earlier, is to quit smoking.
- People can also make lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.
- There are medications that can help.
- Oxygen therapy can also help.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation may help, as well. This involves making your lungs stronger.
A number of medications can be used.
Bronchodilators
- The primary medications used to treat COPD symptoms are bronchodilators.
- These drugs, which include anticholinergics, ß2 agonists, and methylxanthines, work to open the airways in your lungs so you can breathe better.
- They may be prescribed alone or in combination.
- Studies find that regular treatment with long-acting bronchodilators tends to be more effective and convenient than with short-acting bronchodilators.
Inhaled glucocorticosteroids
- Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may also have you use inhaled glucocorticosteroids, which reduce underlying inflammation that can interfere with lung function.
- In rare instances, primarily during a severe exacerbation, you may require oral or injected steroids.
The flu vaccine
You should also consider getting a flu vaccine every year if you're older than 65 or if you have a severe form of COPD. Flu vaccines can reduce serious illness and prevent death in COPD patients.
There are other things you can do to avoid problems.
- Additional approaches include exercise programs, education about your condition, and, if
needed, oxygen, which studies find can increase survival.
- Also pay attention to any announcements about bad air quality, like on hot, humid days when
the air doesn't seem to move. On such days, you should stay inside in air-conditioning if
possible.
It's important to stay in touch with your heath care team.
- COPD is a progressive condition that results in the decline of lung function over time. So, it's important to manage your condition with the help of your health care team.
- Careful monitoring, including regular spirometry measurements, is important to track how you're doing.
- Your doctor may order other tests such as sleep studies, exercise testing, and/or respiratory muscle testing to evaluate how well the muscles around your lungs work to pull in and blow out air.
- As with any chronic disease, it is important that you work together with your health care team to reduce the risk of complications from the disease.
This resource is part of an educational initiative sponsored by
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Pfizer Inc.
Create Date: 3/31/08
Date Last Updated: 3/31/08
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