Managing COPD And Treating Your Symptoms

COPD can be a deadly condition. You can’t cure it. But, there’s good news. You are able to manage your COPD symptoms. That’s the goal. Actually, your goal is to lead a happy and healthy life. How can you do that with a chronic disease? Treatment! In fact, treatment helps with managing your COPD symptoms and slow the progression of this disease. So you’re able to live a good life.

Medication

Medication is the most common option for managing and treating your COPD symptoms. In fact, COPD medications are similar to those use for asthma. Such as, bronchodilators and steroids. Also, anti-inflammatory medicines. We’ll get into the specific treatment options in a minute. For now, its important for you to know that medications are ideal for managing and treating your COPD.

See A Specialist

You have a care team. This team involves many people. Such as your primary doctor and other specialists. These specialists depend on your health conditions. COPD is a condition that affects your lungs. So, you should see a pulmonologist. They work with different lung conditions.

Surgery

Surgery is another option for possibly managing and treating your COPD. Everyone doesn’t need surgery. But, some of you do. Specifically, people with advanced or severe cases of COPD. The purpose of surgery is to reduce some of the volume in your lungs. As the result, you’re able to breathe better.

So, who are candidates? One, people with severe COPD. Two, people whose COPD doesn’t improve with medication. Remember, part of your lung swells. This makes it hard for you to breathe. And, it makes it easier for you to be short of breath. Surgery reverses this. It removes part of the inflated lung. So, you’re left with healthier parts of the lung. And, now you’re able to breathe. Surgery is invasive. And it has risks. So, you may be referred for another procedure. This is called bronchoscopies.

Bronchoscopy

This procedure is less invasive. But, it is an option for managing your COPD in more severe cases. It has the same purpose as lung volume surgery. That is, reduce lung volume. This helps you breathe better. What’s the difference? There’s one. It’s not invasive. That is to say, you aren’t cut open. In fact, a tube is put into your bronchioles. Procedures have their own risks. You should speak with your doctor about your options.

Lung Transplant

Lung transplants happen in severe cases. Who qualifies? People who’ve tried all other treatments. So, this is sort of a last option for them. Also, people with advanced emphysema. Remember, that’s one of COPD’s conditions. It increases your lung volume. So, it’s harder for you to breathe.

This is an option. However, it’s seldom used. For two reasons. First, there aren’t many lung donors. Second, there are serious risks. This is an invasive procedure. And, you’re at risk for infections. Also, your body rejecting the transplant. Still, people in serious cases are considered. Mostly life-or-death cases. But, older people aren’t usually considered. Why? They have other serious health conditions. And, you have to be healthy to be considered.