Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Spirometry

Emphysema

Bronchitis

Quitting smoking

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)

Smoking and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Alternative Names:

COPD; Chronic obstructive airway disease; Chronic obstructive lung disease
Treatment:

Treatment for COPD includes inhalers that dilate the airways (bronchodilators) and sometimes theophylline. The COPD patient must stop smoking. In some cases inhaled steroids are used to suppress lung inflammation, and, in severe cases or flare-ups, intravenous or oral steroids are given.

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Antibiotics are used during flare-ups of symptoms as infections can worsen COPD. Chronic, low-flow oxygen, non-invasive ventilation, or intubation may be needed in some cases. Lung volume reduction surgery for COPD is a surgical therapy currently being evaluated in a large, national trial. Lung transplant is sometimes performed for severe cases.

Support Groups:

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See lung disease - support group.

Expectations (prognosis):

This condition is associated with chronic (long-term) illness. The disease continues to worsen if tobacco use continues.

Complications:

Right sided heart failure or cor pulmonale (enlargement of the heart and heart failure associated with chronic lung disease)
Arrhythmias
Dependence on mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy
Pneumothorax (air outside the lung)
Pneumonia

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if there is a rapid increase in shortness of breath or if complications develop.