Treatment of COPD
Although no cure is yet available for COPD, treatments and lifestyle modifications can slow down its progress besides making the patients feel better and remain active.
COPD treatment aims at relieving symptoms, making the progress of the disease slower, boosting the capacity to remain active and physical endurance, preventing and treating complications and improving the overall health condition of the patients.
If you are a smoker and are having COPD, you must give up your addiction as the first and foremost step to improve your lifestyle. Also consult your doctor over programs and products for quitting smoking. Many hospitals run programs for helping COPD patients quit smoking. You must also seek support of your family members, friends and relatives in your effort to give up smoking.
Medicines, vaccines, surgery and management of complications are the other options for treating COPD. Some patients require treatment through pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab) whereas oxygen therapy is required in other patients.
Medicines
Bronchodilators: Bronchodilators make it easier for the patients to breathe by relaxing the muscles surrounding airways and helping in opening the airways.
In accordance with the severity of your condition your doctor may decide whether this medicine should be short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting bronchodilators, lasting for maximum six hours, can be used only in accordance with the requirement. Long-acting bronchodilators, lasting for minimum twelve hours, can be given daily.
In some cases inhaler is recommended to take bronchodilators. Inhaler makes way for the medicine to reach directly into lungs. However, all inhalers cannot be used similarly. Consult your health care provider for appropriate usage of inhaler.
Short-acting bronchodilator can be inhaled in case of mild COPD. In such case this medicine can be given only when symptoms appear.
In case the condition is moderate or severe, the patient may be advised to inhale long-acting bronchodilators.
Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids: Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids which is also called as inhaled steroids can be prescribed for those having moderate or severe COPD. These medicines can lessen inflammation or swelling in airways.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely required to treat COPD patients. It is considered as the last and final treatment option for those who have severe COPD symptoms that could not be reduced with medication.
Bullectomy is performed as surgery. In some cases lung volume reduction surgery can be needed. Patients with severe COPD may also have to undergo lung transplant.
