Research on COPD
Continuing Education
Testing and Diagnosis
Resources for Patients
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Getting Tested for COPD
You should test for COPD if the following applies to your patient.
Are they a current or former smoker?
Are they over the age of 45 with symptoms of COPD?
If they answered “yes” to either of these questions, you should give them a
lung test.
COPD Treatments
There are a few treatments for people with COPD that help them breathe
better.
There are medications that have to be taken everyday. These medications will
help keep the airways in the lungs open. One medicine that does this is
called a bronchodilator (bron-kaw-di-lay-ter). A bronchodilator is an
inhaler—a medicine that is breathed into the lungs.
Another treatment that may be necessary is oxygen treatment. In this case,
there is an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen gas canister the patient must
use. These treatments will send oxygen directly into the lungs. Oxygen is
sent through tubes that are placed in the nose. This way, the lungs don’t
have to work as hard to get oxygen.
For some patients, it may be necessary to recommend lung volume reduction
surgery. A surgeon would take the sickest part of the lung out.
Another option is pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is
therapy that helps make the lungs stronger. It makes COPD patients less
short of breath. The lungs will be made stronger through exercise. Pulmonary
rehabilitation will also teach patients about COPD so that they feel better
about their diagnosis.
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