| COPD Medication |
| Bronchodilators |
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 Bronchodilators relax the muscles around your airways.
This helps open your airways and makes breathing easier. Depending
on how severe your disease is, your doctor may prescribe short-acting
or long-acting bronchodilators. Short-acting bronchodilators last
about 4 to 6 hours and should be used only when needed. Long-acting
bronchodilators last about 12 hours or more and are used every
day. Most bronchodilators are taken using a device called an inhaler.
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This device allows the medicine to go right to your
lungs. Not all inhalers are used the same way. Ask your health
care team to show you the right way to use your inhaler. If your
COPD is mild, your doctor may only prescribe a short-acting inhaled
bronchodilator. In this case, you may only use the medicine when
symptoms occur. If your COPD is moderate or severe, your doctor
may prescribe regular treatment with short- and long-acting bronchodilators.
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| Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids (Steroids) |
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Inhaled steroids are used for some people who have
moderate or severe COPD. These medicines may reduce airway inflammation
(swelling). Your doctor may ask you to try inhaled steroids for
a trial period of 6 weeks to 3 months to see whether the medicine
is helping with your breathing problems.
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| Vaccines Flu Shots |
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The flu (influenza) can cause serious problems for
people who have COPD. Flu shots can reduce your risk for the flu.
Talk with your doctor about getting a yearly flu shot. Pneumococcal
Vaccine This vaccine lowers your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia
(nu-MO-ne-ah) and its complications. People who have COPD are at
higher risk for pneumonia than people who don't have COPD. Talk
with your doctor about whether you should get this vaccine.
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| Pulmonary Rehabilitation |
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Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised
program that helps improve the health and well-being of people
who have lung problems. Rehab may include an exercise program,
disease management training, and nutritional and psychological
counseling. The program aims to help you stay more active and carry
out your day-to-day activities. Your rehab team may include doctors,
nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, exercise specialists,
and dietitians. These health professionals work together and with
you to create a program that meets your needs.
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| Oxygen Therapy |
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If you have severe COPD and low levels of oxygen
in your blood, oxygen therapy can help you breathe better. For
this treatment, you're given oxygen through nasal prongs or a mask.
You may need extra oxygen all the time or just sometimes. For some
people who have severe COPD, using extra oxygen for most of the
day can help them:
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Do tasks or activities, while having fewer symptoms |
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Protect their hearts and other organs from damage |
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Sleep more during the night and improve alertness during
the day |
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Live longer |
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Peter Scott - Team Leader
