Over 11.7 million Americans have COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, but some might not even know it. This is a surprising statistic to comprehend. COPD can mess up your daily routine. Breathing gets tough, your chest feels tight, you wheeze, and you cough a lot.

No cure exists yet, but don’t worry! Medications, inhalers, and lifestyle changes can make a difference. Plus, experts are exploring cool new options like biologic medicines and stem cell therapy.

The good news? Your doctor can help. Meds and lifestyle tweaks can ease those symptoms. Keep reading to find out about the latest and greatest treatments for COPD.

Current treatments for COPD

Currently, there is no cure for COPD. But with management of this condition, you can live a long enough life. Treatment varies for each person and can change as symptoms do. Your doctor will likely suggest a mix of medications and lifestyle changes.

Quitting Smoking

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor in about 75% of the cases of COPD. Of course, if you are a smoker, giving up smoking should be your number one priority.

A lot of people need assistance when it comes to quitting smoking. Luckily, the American Lung Association, smokefree.gov, and local organizations provide many resources for this. 

Inhalers

There are cases where your physician may prescribe inhaled bronchodilators. They help in the relaxation of skeletal muscle tissues. There are two types of inhalers presently available: short-acting bronchodilators and long-acting bronchodilators.

●Short-Acting Bronchodilators

Short-Acting Bronchodilators, also known as recue inhalers, are used for relief of smaller symptoms. Examples include Ventolin HFA (albuterol), Alupent (metaproterenol), and Xopenex (levalbuterol).

Anticholinergic inhalers can also help. They prevent muscle tightening around the airways. They come as metered-dose inhalers or in liquid form for nebulizers. Ipratropium is a short-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator.

●Long-Acting Bronchodilators

Long-Acting Bronchodilators are ideal for patients suffering from concurrent COPD and asthma. They are termed preventers and are used on a daily basis to alleviate the symptoms.

These medications relax airway muscles and reduce lung mucus. Examples include:

●Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus)

●Formoterol (Perforomist)

●Vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)

●Olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat)

Three long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilators are:

●Tiotropium (Spiriva)

●Aclidinium (Tudorza)

●Umeclidinium (combined form)

Indacaterol (Arcapta Neohaler) is a newer option, taken once a day. It helps relax muscle cells in your lungs and provides long-lasting relief.

Combination Inhalers

Steroids help calm airway inflammation. So, some people with COPD use both a bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid. Juggling two inhalers can be a hassle. That’s where combination inhalers come in. They mix a bronchodilator and a steroid in one handy device.

But wait, there’s more! Some combination inhalers mix short-acting bronchodilators with anticholinergic inhalers. Others blend long-acting bronchodilators with anticholinergics.

For the overachievers, there’s a triple inhaler option. It combines three long-acting COPD medications into one. The first was Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone, umeclidinium, or vilanterol).

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen levels can drop in patients suffering from COPD. This can lead to dizziness, confusion and fatigue. These symptoms can potentially be relived with oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy is carried out by administering oxygen during the course of treatment via the nasal prongs or mask to the nose or mouth.

There are other patients who don't need oxygen therapy, only requiring it during exacerbations. It can make everyday activities easier, be used to prevent heart and lung damage, and can increase alertness.

Oral Medications

Roflumilast (Daliresp) reduces airway inflammation in severe COPD. It can also help repair tissue damage and improve lung function over time. It’s for those with a history of severe flare-ups, so not everyone needs it.

Side effects of medications may include:

●Diarrhea

●Nausea

●Back pain

●Dizziness

●Loss of appetite

●Headache

Other medications, such as antivirals and antibiotics, can also be useful in the treatment of certain symptoms of COPD, particularly during acute symptoms. This does not treat the damage that is there. It just prevents additional damage.

Surgery options for treatment of COPD

Sugery is often the last option for those suffering from COPD. This is for those who cannot find relief from other treatments or are experiencing advanced stages of COPD.

Bullectomy

COPD destroys a person’s airways, making large air pockets called bullae. These bullae can displace other normal lung tissues, which obstruct normal breathing. In bullectomy, the bulging air chambers are thoroughly excised. This decreases breathlessness and increases lung capacity.

Surgery for lung volume reduction

COPD makes breathing difficult due to restriction and damage to the lungs. Lung volume reduction surgery takes out approximately 30% of pathological lung tissue. However, without the pathological portions, the diaphragm operates more effectively to allow easier ventilation.

This is particularly applicable for the emphysema patients. Emphysema is a kind of chronic obstructive lung disease affecting the upper lungs.

Another new treatment option is robotic lung volume reduction surgery. This is less invasive, saving on complications and lessening the time of recovery.

Endobronchial Valve Surgery

This surgery helps people with severe emphysema, and here’s how it works.

The surgeon places tiny Zephyr valves in the airways. These valves block off damaged parts of the lungs. This reduces hyperinflation and lets healthier lung sections work better.

The surgery also lowers pressure on the diaphragm and cuts down on breathlessness. Zephyr valves got FDA approval in 2018.

Lung Transplant

For some with severe COPD, a lung transplant may be needed. This is when breathing problems become life-threatening.

A lung transplant replaces a damaged lung with a healthy donor lung. There’s a risk of organ rejection, so most people need to take immune-suppressing medicines every day.

It's quite natural for people to get shocked when they realize the seriousness of COPD on patients suffering from it. COPD affects millions, but there's hope. While there's no cure yet, treatments can help manage symptoms and improve life.

From medications and inhalers to advanced therapies like endobronchial valves and lung transplants, there are options to explore. Your doctor can guide you through the best choices for your needs. Keep up with the latest treatments to breathe easier and live better.