Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease affects about 20 percent of chronic tobacco smokers, and costs the U.S. as much as $50 billion a year in medical expenses and lost time. The major causes of COPD include smoking and pollution. COPD symptoms will get progressively worse of the years. Treatment for COPD aims at relieving symptoms and providing a better quality of life for those affected.
Drug Treatment
Most of the drugs used to treat COPD help reduce the symptoms. They include:
* Bronchodilators: relax the muscles around your airways and help relieve coughing and shortness of breath. There are short-acting bronchodilators, for use before physical activities, and long-acting bronchodilators which are used daily.
* Inhaled steroids: reduce airy inflammation and help prevent exacerbations. They have a number of side effects, including bruising, oral infections and hoarseness.
* Oral steroids: prevent worsening of COPD, but have serious side effects.
* Combination inhalers: combine bronchodilators and inhaled steroids for the benefits of both.
* Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: decreases airway inflammation and relaxes the airways.
* Theophylline: helps improve breathing and prevents exacerbations.
* Antibiotics: prevent respiratory infections which can aggravate COPD symptoms.
Physical Therapies
In addition to medication, doctors may prescribe specific treatments and therapies to help ease breathing and deliver more oxygen to your blood. This type of treatment for COPD includes oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, which help educate patients about COPD and lung function, and teach lifestyle changes that can help reduce exacerbations and improve quality of life for those with COPD.
Surgical Treatment
Doctors sometimes recommend surgery for those with severe emphysema when medication is not enough to control the symptoms. Surgical treatment for COPD includes:
* Lung volume reduction surgery: where small wedges of damaged lung tissue are removed to provide more room for the remaining lung tissue to work.
* Lung transplant: may be an option for some people who are good candidates for transplantation.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Lifestyle changes and home remedies can make a significant difference in quality of life for people with COPD. Treatment for COPD may include consultation with a respiratory therapist to teach new ways of breathing and techniques for clearing the lungs, as well as recommendations for regular exercise and good nutrition. Some people may find it helpful to move to a less polluted environment and to avoid places where others smoke.
Alternative Therapies
Alternative treatment for COPD includes a number of treatments from different disciplines of complementary and alternative medicine. They include an alternative diet focused on whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits, while avoiding mucus-producing foods and chemicals, nutritional supplements that may help improve the efficiency of the lungs and homeopathic remedies.
Stem Cell Therapy for COPD
Stem cells show great promise as a treatment for COPD in several ways. A number of studies and clinical trials are underway using stem cells to help repair damaged lung cells and reduce airway inflammation. In Europe, several clinics are using stem cells to treat COPD with significant success. Research and trials are ongoing to learn the best ways to use stem cells to treat COPD.