Treatment of COPD

There is no definitive cure for COPD. Therapy is aimed at slowing the damage to the airways and relieving symptoms.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators (or relievers) are the main treatment for breathlessness caused by COPD. Although their relaxing effect on the airways is limited, they provide useful symptom relief.

Corticosteroids

In patients with severe COPD, regular use of inhaled corticosteroids may reduce exacerbations and symptoms.

Oxygen

 

In severe COPD, the level of oxygen in the blood is seriously reduced and supplementary oxygen may be very helpful.
In people with very advanced disease, oxygen is required most or all of the time.

Other therapies

Other drug therapies used in COPD include antibiotics for bronchial infections (“exacerbations”), mucolytics and antioxidants.
Lung transplantation is used occasionally in end-stage disease.

Next >>

Prevention of COPD

The only way that the number of patients with COPD can be reduced is to stop people smoking.
If the quality of air we live in is improved then the number of deaths from COPD may be reduced.


Do you have a story related to lung disease that you would like to share?

Link to testimonies page

Please go to our testimonies page and add your own.