There is Hope with COPD Treatment
By Deborah Leader, RN, About.com Guide to COPD
Because COPD is irreversible, treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. Remember that with every breath, there is hope. Finding a treatment plan that works best for you and then sticking to it, is the key to better COPD management.
Treatment Overview
Many treatments are available to help alleviate the symptoms of COPD so that you can live a higher quality of life.
- There is Hope: Treatment of COPD
- Treatment of Emphysema
- Treatment of Bronchiectasis
- Treatment of Chronic Bronchitis
Medication Management
Medication management is an important aspect of your COPD treatment plan. Medications can help ease your work of breathing so that you can once again, enjoy everyday activities.
- List of Common COPD Medications
- COPD Inhalers and Medications
- Complete Guide To Using Spiriva
- FDA Warns Public About Spiriva
- Depression Medication and COPD
- What are Bronchodilators?
- How to Use a Bronchodilator Inhaler
- Pros and Cons of Glucocorticoids
- List of Common COPD Inhalers
- Comparing Metered-Dose Inhalers to Wet Nebulizers
- How to Use Nebulizer
- How to Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler
- Tips for Medication Safety
- Medication-Related Problems
- Avoiding Medication Errors
Other Treatment Options
While medications are important, non-medication related therapies also play an important role in treatment of COPD.
- 5 Airway Clearance Techniques
- COPD and the Pneumonia Vaccine
- Deaths From Swine Flu Related to Bacterial Pneumonia
- Flu Shots for Prevention of COPD Exacerbation
- Oxygen Therapy
- How Often Should I Change My Nasal Cannula?
- Dealing With Nasal Dryness
- Oxy-View -- Oxygen Therapy Glasses
- Heliox and COPD Treatment
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Surgical Intervention for COPD: Is it Right for You?
- Having Surgery? 10 Questions Every Patient Should Ask
- The 10 Most Important Things to Bring With You to the Hospital
- Lung Transplant Picture Gallery
Alternative Therapy
From herbs to stem cells, alternative therapy for COPD is growing in popularity among consumers. Find out more about what alternative treatment options are available to you.
- Antioxidants and COPD
- The Truth About Herbal Remedies and COPD
- Interview With Stem Cell Therapy Pioneer Barbara Hanson
- Alternative Therapy Support Group
No More Butts: Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is the single, most important aspect of COPD treatment, yet the most commonly overlooked. The best thing about quitting smoking is how much better it will make you feel. Many options are available to help you quit and the good news is, you don't have to do it alone. Commit to quit today.
- How to Stop Smoking
- The Hazards of Cigarette Smoke
- List of Stop Smoking Aids
- Complete Guide to Using Chantix
- Tips to Help You Quit Smoking
- The Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke
- How to Protect Yourself from Secondhand Smoke when Traveling
- The Top 5 Quit Smoking Websites
- Quit Smoking Stories
- Using the Nicotine Patch to Quit: A Personal Success Story
- Quitting Cold Turkey: A Personal Interview
- How One Person Quit Smoking with Chantix
Share Your Thoughts
One of the best ways to share suggestions or learn information from others about COPD is through User Answers. A unique, interactive tool designed to enrich the reader's experience, User Answers are fun and easy to participate in, and allow readers to have their suggestions and comments be part of real, live About.com articles.
