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The condition can causeexacerbations, which are sudden episodes of worsening symptoms.
People who have COPD often experience recurrentlung infections.
Verywell / Catherine Song
Smoking and exposure to airborne toxins are the major risk factors for developing COPD.
It is common to also have other serious medical problems along with COPD.
Diagnosis
The GOLD pocket guide provides direction regarding the diagnosis and classification of COPD.
This means that your FEV1 is measuredafteryou are treated with a bronchodilator.
The numbers are added up to help your medical team grade your COPD.
The GOLD guide suggests incorporating these tests as well as others to assess COPD.
High grade COPD is consistent with:
Treatment
The management of COPD includes a variety of strategies.
Smoking cessation, medications, and pulmonary rehabilitation are the leading strategies discussed in the GOLD guide.
Smoking leads to COPD and continuing to smoke with COPD worsens the disease, increasing the risk of exacerbations.
Lung infections exacerbate COPD.
Medication
There are several medications used in the treatment of COPD.
These medications include daily treatments that prevent symptoms and as-needed treatments that can alleviate worsening symptoms.
Selective beta-2 agonists are medications that relax the airways.
Short acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) and long acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) are both recommended.
According to the guide, LABAs should be used daily to prevent respiratory problems.
And SABAs can improve symptoms, but should not be used regularly.
Antimuscarinics: These are medications that counteract constriction (tightening) of the airways.
Long-acting antimuscarinics (LAMAs) and short-acting antimuscarinics work similarly but have different durations of action.
Anti-inflammatory therapy: The guidelines discuss anti-inflammatory therapy, including steroids, and mentions the risks and benefits.
Benefits include possibly reducing exacerbations, and risks include a predisposition to infections.
Antibiotics: These medications are used to fight bacterial infections.
Pulmonary rehabilitation involves exercise and education about the illness.
Oxygen supplementation at home can help a person with COPD breathe easier and have more energy.
Ventilator support, including non-invasive ventlation, may be needed during an exacerbation or a severe lung infection.
Specialized less invasive procedures (valves placed by bronchoscopy) and lung transplantation are other considerations in severe patients.
A Word From Verywell
You might feel some uncertainty after being diagnosed with COPD.
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Global strategy for prevention, diagnosis and management of COPD: 2024 report.
Nici L, Mammen MJ, Charbek E, et al.Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline.American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.2020.
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