Treating COPD
If you are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there are a wide range of COPD treatment options available. There are two primary types that are often used:
- Short-acting bronchodilators to help relieve sudden COPD symptoms.
- Long-acting maintenance medicines, like SYMBICORT, to help reduce inflammation and ease constriction in your airways.
In addition, vaccines, antibiotics, and a variety of nonmedicinal COPD treatments are also used. For example:
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Pulmonary rehabilitation is a structured program that can reduce symptoms of COPD, help
improve quality of life, and increase your ability to take part in everyday activities. Depending on your
needs, a pulmonary rehabilitation program might include exercise training, nutrition counseling, and education
on special breathing techniques and other means of coping with COPD. Your doctor will know if a program like
this is right for you.
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Regular exercise can increase your energy levels, improve your circulation, reduce symptoms,
and increase your endurance. Talk to your doctor about how much physical activity and what kinds of activities
are best for you. These might be stretching exercises, an aerobic exercise like walking, or exercise aimed at
strengthening your muscles.
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Oxygen therapy is another option for people whose COPD is very severe. Oxygen therapy may
improve exercise endurance and can help some people with COPD live longer. Knowing the level of oxygen that's
in your blood helps your doctor decide if oxygen therapy is right for you.
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Surgery may be an appropriate option for some people with very severe COPD. Operations
performed for COPD include lung-volume reduction surgery, where parts of the lung are removed to improve
breathing, and a lung transplant, where the diseased lungs are removed and replaced with the lungs of an organ
donor.
Of course, there are many things you can do on your own, like talking to your doctor about stopping smoking and choosing a healthy diet. Colds, the flu, and other respiratory infections cause problems for people with COPD, so it's important that you do your best to avoid them.
Ask your doctor about SYMBICORT
When used as prescribed, SYMBICORT helps significantly improve lung function, starting within 5 minutes.* Remember, SYMBICORT will not replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms.
In addition to improving lung function, SYMBICORT works all day and night to help reduce COPD symptoms.
Only your doctor can determine if SYMBICORT is right for you, so be sure to meet with him or her regularly to establish a COPD treatment plan that works best for you and allows you to make plans for your day.
*Individual results may vary.
Next: About SYMBICORT