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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

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.

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. Surgery to remove parts of the disease lung has been shown to be helpful for some patients with COPD.

Lung rehabilitation programs may help some patients.

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.

• Review Date: 5/3/2006
• Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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