Medications which relieve symptoms, help to prevent flair ups and help stabilize advancing disease have changed the lives of patients suffering from COPD. Patients who are maximally treated may still have symptoms and ask for additional medication to help. Often times for these patients there is an additional pill, inhaler or injection which will provide additional relief. There are, however, nondrug therapies which can significantly help patients feel better and improve their quality of life.
The top three most important things to consider along with medications are: smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation and long-term oxygen therapy if necessary. Smoking cessation is so important and so very hard. The nicotine addiction which began for many of these patients when they were very young is difficult to combat without help. Smoking cessation programs with physician and family support are needed. Pulmonary rehabilitation can help significantly improve the quality of life for patients with COPD. The problem is access since so-called in-house or in-person rehabilitation centers require daily attendance for several weeks which is not possible for most patients. Home programs can be effective if done regularly. Exercise programs can be found online or on YouTube and at copdfoundation.org. Long term oxygen therapy should be used faithfully by those patients with an oxygen level of at or below 55mmHG as determined by a blood gas test.
If you have COPD with symptoms despite medications, talk to your pulmonary specialist about nondrug management therapies that may give you some additional relief and quality of life.
