How is COPD Treated?

First of all it is important to know that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD for short, is a progressive disease and that there is no cure for it. The damage that has been done to the lungs, primarily through smoking, is irreversible.

On the other hand there are treatments which allow patients to lead more active life styles- much better than at any other time in history. This cannot be over stressed as one of the major goals in any treatment that is developed for COPD must pursue the recovery of the patients quality of life.

As the main goal in COPD treatment is to allow the patient to pursue his or her life in the best possible health, this means:

• first and foremost, to help the patient absorb the amount of oxygen needed


• provide relief from COPD symptoms


• increase the patients ability to stay active


• prevent complications

Another vitally important point for anyone, but specially for COPD patients, is to quit smoking. Smoking is by far the primary cause of COPD. When you look at our aging population, a large number of them have smoked or still smoke, and this places them at risk. Over 90% of COPD patients have been smokers.

Treatment will depend on the diagnosis and the severity of the illness as well as individual aspects of the patient (age for example).

Available Treatments:

- Medication

* Bronchodilators that help make breathing easier by relaxing the muscles around the airways.

* Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids, which can help by reducing swelling of the airways

* There are also preventive medicines that are applied to reduce the risk of flu or pneumonia that for COPD patients can create much discomfort and too much risk.

- Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This will generally include exercise, disease management training as well as nutritional and psychological therapy.

- Oxygen Therapy. For sever case of COPD Oxygen Therapy can be one of the treatment options. The patient receives supplemental oxygen.

- Surgery. Usually as a last resort when the severity of the illness demands it.

* Transplant

* LVRS - Lung Volume Reduction Surgery where damaged tissues are removed.

* Bullectomy. As the walls of the air sacs are destroyed as series of bullae (larger air spaces) are formed. Through surgery these bullae are removed.

Although the number of patients that are being diagnosed with COPD is increasing, mainly because of previous smoking habits, the available treatments, specially oxygen therapy, are allowing for many more people to continue to enjoy active life styles.