After you have been diagnosed with COPD, you have been diagnosed with an incurable lung disease. There are a number of ways you can reduce your symptoms and relieve your discomfort. You can learn different ways to feel better and improve your chances of a longer life. The main goals for your COPD treatment will slow the decline in your lung function and improve your day-to-day lung function. You will experience fewer symptoms and decrease the amount of times you experience acute episodes or COPD exacerbations. The treatments will may require hospitalization so the doctor can monitor your overall care and alleviate any of the acute episode problems.
The following treatments can help you improve your quality of life with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Quitting Smoking
If you have been diagnosed with COPD and you are still smoking, you are dealing with a deadly combination. If you choose to take one step to help yourself live longer and breathe easier, quit smoking. It is the single most important thing you can do to slow the progress of your COPD. The benefits of quitting smoking will curb your lung function decline and reduce the overall symptoms of COPD. You may even be able to slow your decrease in lung function to a point that is normal with aging. Quitting smoking will help anyone with or without COPD have a better quality of life, so no matter which stage of COPD you have, quitting smoking will help you. If you need help or information about the best way to quit smoking, talk to the doctor. There are nicotine replacement options, smoking cessation medications, support groups and proven techniques to help you quit successfully.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Coordinating additional lifestyle changes with your medications and treatments can help you improve your overall health. Doctors refer to this as a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The program will be specified to your needs but it may include a combination of nutritional therapy, breathing exercises, and physical exercises to help you stay active. Taking the time to educate yourself about your disease will help you make better choices and manage your symptoms. Your doctor may even encourage you to get the pneumonia and flu vaccine to help prevent you from worsening your COPD due to those diseases.
Taking Medications
While medications are not available to cure or reverse COPD, the can help open up the problematic airways. Some medications will reduce inflammation and others can help you fight infections that are worsening your COPD.
Oxygen Therapy
As your COPD progresses from an early stage to a later one, it will become harder to breathe. Oxygen therapy is a way to get more oxygen in your blood and help your body function more normally. You will feel less breathless and may even sleep better. With improved oxygen levels you will have more energy and improved focus. You may even find that your mood is better from oxygen therapy.
The doctor will be able to help you make the best choices for your COPD treatment.