COPD Treatment in Wichita

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that affects millions of people worldwide. This group of diseases cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of COPD in the Wichita area, contact KU-Wichita Internal Medicine today to schedule an appointment.

How is COPD Treated?

While there is no cure for COPD, there are many effective treatments and strategies that can help manage the condition and improve the quality of life for those living with it.

Treatment for COPD aims to:

• Help slow the progression of the condition
• Better control symptoms
• Reduce the risk of flare ups
• Improve your ability to stay active

Treatment Options for COPD Include:

• Lifestyle changes and stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke; quitting is the most important thing you can do
• Medications – inhalers and tablets can help make breathing easier
• Pulmonary rehabilitation – a specialized program of exercise and education
• Oxygen therapy – increases the amount of oxygen that flows into your lungs
• Surgery or a lung transplant – although this is only an option for a very small number of people

KU-Wichita Internal Medicine will discuss the various treatment options with you.

Lifestyle Changes

The top cause of COPD is smoking cigarettes. Continued smoking may make you less responsive to COPD medications. Although any damage done to your lungs and airways cannot be reversed, giving up smoking can help prevent further damage. You may also need to change your diet or manage other diseases like heart disease. Your physician can work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to help reduce your symptoms.

Medications Like Inhalers and Tablets

If COPD is affecting your breathing, you’ll usually be given an inhaler. This is a device that delivers medicine directly into your lungs as you breathe in. These devices are personal, and the medication is also specific to your condition. Inhalers, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatories can be used to help improve oxygen levels. Bronchodilators are medicines that make breathing easier by relaxing and widening your airways. Be sure to talk to your physician so you feel confident using these medications.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

A pulmonary rehabilitation program offers classes in a small group setting to help improve your lung function, reduce symptoms and the risk of hospital admissions, and improve your quality of life. This may even include lifestyle changes or electrical stimulation to make your muscles stronger.

These programs:

• Are often held at hospitals, outpatient clinics, or virtually
• Supervised by a team of healthcare professionals
• May include doctors, respiratory therapists, exercise specialists and dietitians
• Combines exercise training, disease management education, social support, nutrition education, and counseling

Oxygen Therapy

Depending on how much oxygen you need, your physician may suggest an oxygen delivery device to meet your needs and lifestyle. Supplemental oxygen can help improve your symptoms, organ function, and ability to stay active. Not everyone is a candidate for oxygen therapy.

Surgery or a Lung Transplant

If you have very severe COPD symptoms, you may have a hard time breathing all of the time. Your physician may suggest lung surgery to improve breathing. Surgical options may include bullectomy, lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplant. Not everyone is a candidate for lung surgery.

How to Help a Loved One with COPD

If you are trying to help a loved one with COPD, you can

• Help them quit smoking
• Get active with them
• Keep yourself healthy
• Keep indoor air clean
• Stay on top of medications
• Encourage progress through continued medical visits

Sources:

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/treating 
https://www.healthline.com/health/copd/helping-your-loved-one 
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/treating