COPD treatment requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a qualified physician. It can alleviate symptoms, decrease the frequency and severity of exacerbations, and increase exercise tolerance. Treatment options that your physician may consider include:
Quitting smoking. For people who smoke, the most important part of treatment is smoking cessation. Here’s an article providing guidance on how to successfully quit smoking.
Avoiding tobacco smoke and other air pollutants at home and at work.
Asking your doctor about pulmonary rehabilitation, which is a personalized treatment program that teaches COPD management strategies to improve quality of life. Programs may include plans that teach people how to breathe better and conserve their energy, as well as provide advice on food and exercise.
Taking medication. Symptoms such as coughing or wheezing can be treated with medication. Patients usually take their medication with an inhaler, often with combination therapies (2-3 medications) in a single inhaler. 90% of COPD patients are prescribed maintenance inhalers (long-acting); they’re also prescribed rescue inhalers to use as needed (reactive or proactive before an activity).
Consider both the molecule and the device.
Four (4) device options for healthcare providers:
Metered-dose inhalers (MDI), which use pressurized gas to deliver the medication to the lungs. They’re portable and don’t need electricity to be used, but require hand-breath coordination.
Dry powder inhalers, which require peak inspiratory flow (PIF) — the maximum airflow generated during inhalation — to sufficiently disperse the powder medication throughout the lungs. Around 40% of patients are unable to generate PIF, but this isn’t caused by low lung function — which impacts airflow of exhalations, rather than inhalations.
Soft mist inhalers, which deliver the medication through flow-independent mist. They require less coordination to use, but are more complex to put together.
Nebulizers, which use compressed air to turn the medication into droplets that can be inhaled. They’re easy to use — not requiring any particular breathing techniques, amount of airflow, or coordination — especially for people experiencing an exacerbation. However, they take longer, require more maintenance to keep the equipment in good condition, and generally need to be plugged into an electrical source, rendering them less portable than the other options.
Avoiding lung infections. Lung infections can cause serious problems in people with COPD. Certain vaccines, such as flu and pneumococcal vaccines, are especially important for people with COPD. Learn more about vaccination recommendations. Respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics, if appropriate.
Using supplemental oxygen. Some people may need to use a portable oxygen tank if their blood oxygen levels are low.
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