What Is The Management For COPD | Medical Management Of COPD

The airflow is blocked up during the expiration of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Due to this, the work of breathing increases which may cause dyspnoea. In the case of asthma, the airflow blockup is not reversible and generally increases with time. There are various mechanisms of airflow obstruction in COPD. Due to chronic bronchitis, hypersecretion of mucus may occur which may fill and block up the airway of lumen. So, if we talk about what is the management for COPD, it is clearly aimed at controlling the symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease as well as improving the quality of life.

What is the management for COPD

What Is The Management For COPD?

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a long-term inflammatory lung condition caused by an obstruction of lung airflow. The symptoms of COPD include difficulty in breathing, cough, wheezing, and mucus production. It was caused by long-term exposure to irritating chemicals and particulate debris, primarily from cigarette smoke. There are increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer as well as many other variety of conditions for people with COPD.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most frequent diseases that cause COPD.

When inflammation occurs on the lining of the bronchial tubes is called Chronic bronchitis, which carries air to and from the air sacs which are also called alveoli of the lungs. It is characterized by the production of mucus as well as daily cough.

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The condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (called bronchioles) of the lungs are damaged due to the smoking of cigarettes as well as other irritating gases, and particulate matter is called Emphysema.

Generally, the diagnosis is blood tests, lung function tests, and imaging tests.

COPD doesn't have any cure but its treatment can help easiness in symptoms, minimize the chance of complications as well, and improve the quality of life. Some treatment forms are supplemental oxygen therapy, medications, and surgery.


What Is The Best Treatment For COPD?

Treatment For COPD

Treatment can prevent complications, ease symptoms, and slow the progression of disease. The treatment of COPD has the following objectives:
  • To minimize the airflow obstruction.
  • To minimize respiratory symptoms, and improve the quality of life.
  • To prevent and treat secondary complications such as cor pulmonale which is right-sided heart failure, hypoxemia, and infections.
There are the following options that are used for the treatment of COPD:
  • Stop smoking is one of the most important therapeutic interventions.
  • For patients with COPD, the influenza vaccine can be given every year, and if the patient develops purulent sputum, proper antibiotic therapy should also be provided.

Medication

Medications like bronchodilators help to relax the muscles of the airways and widen the airways so that one can breathe easily. Generally, these are taken either by inhaler or by nebulizer.

To reduce inflammation in the airways, glucocorticosteroids can also be added.

Oxygen Therapy

If the blood oxygen level is too low, then one can receive supplemental oxygen through a mask or through the nasal cannula which can help you to breathe better. A portable unit will be very easy to get around.

Surgery

Surgery is required when other treatments have failed or you have a serious COPD. It happens when you have a severe emphysema.

Bullectomy is one kind of surgery where the surgeons remove huge abnormal air pockets from the lungs called bullae.

Another one is called lung volume reduction surgery, in which damaged upper lung tissue is removed.

Lung transplantation is an additional possibility in some situations.

Lifestyle Changes

A few lifestyle changes can also help to reduce your symptoms or give relief.

If you smoke, quit it. Doctors can recommend appropriate products for that.

Avoid taking chemicals fumes, and secondhand smoking, and get nutrition as per your body needs. For creating a healthy eating plan work with your doctor as well as your dietician.

Consult your physician about the appropriate amount of exercise for you.

Inhaled Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators help to lose the tight muscles of your airways. These are mainly taken through inhalers or nebulizers.

The short-acting bronchodilators last from four to six hours, and one can use them when needed. For continuous symptoms, there are long-acting versions are also available you can use them on a daily basis. They last almost 12 hours.

Some bronchodilators are selective beta-2-agonists as well as others are anticholinergics. These bronchodilators widen the airways to improve air passage by relaxing the constricted muscles in the airways. They are also help in clearing the mucus from the lungs. Both of these bronchodilators can be taken either separately or in combination with inhalers as well as nebulizers.

Corticosteroids

Generally, long-acting bronchodilators are combined with inhaled glucocorticosteroids.

Glucocorticosteroids can minimize the inflammation in the airways and also reduce mucus production.

The airway muscle can be relaxed by the long-acting bronchodilators that help the airways stay wider. The corticosteroids are also present in the pill form.

Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors

Commonly, prescribed for severe COPD with chronic bronchitis. It can be taken in the form of a pill, and it helps to minimize the information and relax the airways.

Theophylline

It provides the relaxation from the chest tightness and shortness of breath. It may also help to stop flare-ups. Additionally, it comes as a pill.

Theophylline is one of the oldest medications that help in the relaxation of airway muscles, and it may also cause side effects as well. Generally, it is not the first-line treatment for the treatment of COPD.

Antibiotics And Antivirals

If someone develops certain respiratory infections then antibiotics and antivirals may prescribed.

Vaccines

COPD increases the risk of other respiratory problems. Due to this reason, one doctor may recommend that they get a flu shot yearly either the pneumococcal vaccine or the whooping cough vaccine.

Conclusion

Therefore, the inflammation of the airways which connected with the lungs in which the excess mucus causes the obstruction of airways as well as difficulty in breathing is called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I hope that you have liked the article on the topic about what is the management for COPD. If you have any queries regarding the article, please comment below.

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