COPD Treatment

• Stop smoking: The most effective step smokers with COPD can take is to quit smoking. In order to prevent lung damage from becoming worse, patients need to stop inhaling the poisons causing the disease. A doctor can find a supportive and comprehensive program for those wanting to quit.
• Reparatory assistance: Blood oxygen levels can be seriously low in patients with severe COPD. These patients require extra oxygen and use a device that delivers it to their lungs. There are various forms of oxygen and different types of devices available. These are used according to need. Many patients use their device regularly at home, when doing chores or  when exercising. Others patients may need oxygen 24 hours a day. Respiratory assistance has been known to double a patient’s lifespan and can provide a great deal of relief.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: A pulmonary rehabilitation program is a therapy aimed at improving quality of life. It combines education, exercise and breathing techniques to help reduce shortness of breath and increase exercise tolerance. A program can be conducted in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Services are provided by a respiratory or physical therapist and can take place in a patient’s home.
• Reduction of lung volume: In this procedure, the damaged lung is surgically reduced. This is done by removing small sections of the damaged tissue. It is believed that this procedure creates more room in the chest cavity and increases oxygen flow to the remaining healthy tissue. This method has many risks and results vary.
• Lung transplantation: In this procedure, a patient's damaged lungs are partially or entirely replaced by donor lungs. This surgery has a number of risks and results vary. However, in many end-stage patients with COPD, a lung transplant may extend life expectancy or enhance quality of life.