Treatment Options for COPD
COPD results in difficulty breathing and is seen as wheezing, a tight chest and severe cough, which can be life-altering for those with the disease.
Lifestyle Changes
How to treat COPD varies on the individual, their lifestyle factors and how severe their disease is. If you, or someone you love, has been diagnosed with COPD and is a smoker, they need to quit and right away. This includes smoking of any kind, as well as vaping. The American Lung Association states:
The chemicals in cigarettes, e-cigarettes and cigars can further damage your lungs and over time may cause more symptoms, increase your risk of exacerbations and decrease your lung function. Continued smoking may make you less responsive to COPD medications.
By quitting smoking, you can significantly alleviate the risk and symptoms of COPD. Moreover, you can reduce the risk of developing related cancers. Remember, your healthcare team is there to support you in this journey. Your lungs will thank you for this positive change!
In addition to quitting smoking, a healthy lifestyle that will ease the symptoms of COPD includes regular physical activity and maintaining a favorable body composition through a healthy diet.
COPD Medications
Like many chronic diseases, medication is typically the first line of action. The type and amount of medication will depend on how severe your COPD is and with consideration to the rest of your overall health. Further, your healthcare team will conduct several tests to determine which medication may be best for you; an evaluation of your symptoms, risk factors and spirometry test results will be their guide.
For example, Stiolto Respimat is a prescription medication that controls COPD symptoms in adults. This drug is typically taken once daily in the form of two puffs from an inhalation spray. In addition to controlling the wheezing and shortness of breath associated with COPD, Stiolto Respimat prevents the symptoms from arising. However, this drug should not be used by those who have allergies to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or olodaterol.
Many other medications are used to treat COPD, such as oral steroids, which are a short-term solution used when symptoms get notably worse. Oral steroids are used minimally with COPD because they can present severe side effects, including diabetes, cataracts and infection.
Using Supplemental Oxygen
While it might seem like an easy fix, not everyone with COPD is the right candidate for oxygen therapy. Your doctor will evaluate the results of several tests to determine if oxygen therapy is warranted; these tests may include an exercise or sleep test and arterial blood gas tests. Using supplemental oxygen can provide relief from symptoms and allow you to remain more physically active.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
This form of therapy, known as pulmonary rehabilitation, treats the whole person diagnosed with COPD. It focuses not only on improving lung function but also on providing social support, counseling, nutrition advice and exercise. This comprehensive approach ensures that you are well-supported in your COPD management.
Surgical Option
Surgical intervention, while reserved for the most severe COPD cases, can be a beacon of hope. It is often relied on when other treatments have failed or are no longer working or if the ability to breathe is exceptionally compromised. Lung surgery, such as a bullectomy or lung transplant, may improve breathing and allow for a longer, more fulfilling life.
Clinical Trials
Ongoing research is constantly changing medicine and how disease is treated. New medications, therapies and surgical techniques are always being developed. One way that the treatment for COPD is being advanced is through clinical trials. Clinical trials allow researchers to evaluate and improve current treatments for COPD. Talk to your doctor about existing clinical trials and whether you might be a good candidate for participating.
A COPD treatment plan that will ease symptoms and allow for a full life may rely on one or more treatment options. In conjunction with a few fundamental lifestyle changes, these treatment options may result in a richer lifestyle and a significant improvement in COPD symptoms.
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, means that breathing is typically complex and painful and worsens as the disease progresses. Certain activities, environments and foods can exacerbate these symptoms. However, there are several effective treatments for those with COPD, and a solid COPD treatment plan can be developed in partnership with your healthcare team.
Finding Relief
As with many other chronic conditions, determining the right treatment plan for COPD requires diligence, trial and error and patience. Take heart, though; relief from the symptoms of COPD is possible.
Learn about some treatment options for ulcerative colitis.