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If you are diagnosed with COPD, there are a number of treatments to stop it from getting
much worse. The key is to start treatment before it becomes too severe. Here’s Dr.
Holly Atkinson for more on the treatment options.
PHYSICIAN:While there is no cure for COPD, there are treatments that can help you manage
the condition and breathe easier. We’ll talk about the different types of treatments,
and you can pause at any time to write these down or read at your own pace. Drug treatments
come in two major types... bronchodilators and inhaled steroids.
Bronchodilators relax muscles inside bronchial tubes, which will help reduce overall airflow
obstruction. They also improve the ability to clear mucus and the endurance of fatigued
respiratory muscles. These also come in two main categories, the first are anticholinergics.
These are used to decrease mucus secretions and are actually the drug of choice for COPD
maintenance and may also help slow progression of disease. The second type of bronchodilators
are beta-agonists. These are used to dilate airways. Next are Inhaled steroids, or “corticosteroids.”
These are also used to treat inflamed airways. These medications work well in about 10%-15%
of COPD patients. But, overuse can weaken the bones and increase the risk of high blood
pressure and diabetes. Non-medication based therapies are also available, and your doctor
may prescribe some of the following.Oxygen therapy - it comes in a variety of different
forms and can be delivered with a variety of devices. Protein therapy may be prescribed
for those who have “familial emphysema,” to help slow lung damage. Your doctor may
also suggest enrollment in a pulmonary rehabilitation program to help you exercise. Most hospitals
offer these programs which can improve fitness, even in severe cases. The programs usually
include exercises for the lower and upper extremities, patient education, breathing
retraining, and emotional support. Nutrition is also important. For patients who lose a
lot of weight, high fat, low carbohydrate diets are recommended. If a patient is significantly
overweight, losing weight is appropriate. Finally, your doctor may decide that surgery
is required. Surgery can be done to remove portions of the damaged lungs, or a full lung
transplant in the most severe cases.Although there are good treatment options available,
the best way to prevent, or at least slow, the progress of COPD is to quit smoking and
see your doctor so you can begin treatment.
HOST: You can treat COPD if the condition is caught
early. By watching, you’ve taken a great first step in learning more about this condition.
Use this information to talk to your doctor if you believe you have the symptoms of COPD.
Thanks for watching HealthiNation. Check back soon to learn even more about your health.
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