Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatments

Treatment

There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there are treatments that can reduce symptoms and improve lung function. The best way to reduce symptoms is to stop smoking.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

Medication

Short acting bronchodilator medications may be prescribed to help open the airways in the lungs and improve breathing. These may include:

Albuterol (eg, Ventolin)
Terbutaline (eg, Brethine, Brethaire, Bricanyl)
Theophylline (eg, Elixophyllin, Theo-24)
Ipatropium bromide

Long acting bronchodilator medication may be prescribed, as well.

Steroids may be prescribed to help improve breathing. They can include:

Inhaled:
- Beclomethasone (eg, Vanceril, Beclovent)
- Triamcinolone (eg, Azmacort)
- Flunisolide (eg, Aerobid)
- Fluticasone (eg, Flovent)
- Dexamethasone (eg, Dexamethasone Intensol)
Orally:
- Prednisone (eg, PredniSONE Intensol, Sterapred)
- Prednisolone (eg, Econopred Plus, Millipred)
- Methylprednisolone (eg, Medrol, Medrol DosePak)

Antibiotics are rarely prescribed to treat bronchitis. But, they may be needed to treat a lung infection that often accompanies the illness. A small percentage of patients may need chronic antibiotic therapy.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy can restore oxygen to parts of the body depleted because of chronic bronchitis.

Exercises

Breathing exercises—These can help improve lung function. They are usually done under the supervision of a respiratory therapist
Regular exercise program —This can reduce symptoms and improve lung function.

If you are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, follow your doctor's instructions.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

4 comments

The postulated medical benefits of vitamin D continue unabated. Every week, there is a new study which shows that vitamin D can cure an illness.

View Comments Shamir Benji commented 17 weeks ago.

Vitamin D and COPD
By Shamir Benji HERWriter on January 22, 2012 - 10:51am
2 comments

Supporter

The name Patty Loveless has been well-known since the late 1980s, especially to country music fans. Loveless started making her presence felt in the world of country music at a young age.

View Comments Jody Smith commented 25 weeks ago.

Patty Loveless: Tuning Up With DRIVE4COPD
By Jody Smith HERWriter on November 22, 2011 - 9:09pm
1 comments

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

View Comments Anonymous commented 1 year ago.

Treating Inflammation in COPD
By Linda Fugate PhD HERWriter on February 3, 2011 - 7:13am
0 comments

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a long-term disease that affects the lungs. The most common cause of COPD is smoking, although there are cases of nonsmokers with the ...

What is COPD?
By Darlene Oakley HERWriter on November 5, 2009 - 4:51pm
Dr. Sanderson compares metered-dose inhalers to nebulizers and comments on whether or not inhalers are addictive.

Inhalers, Which Best Treats COPD And Are They Addictive? - Dr. David Sanderson (VIDEO)
By Dr. David R. Sanderson Expert on August 19, 2009 - 2:48pm
Dr. Sanderson explains how chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is treated.

COPD, What Are The Treatments? - Dr. Sanderson (VIDEO)
By Dr. David R. Sanderson Expert on August 13, 2009 - 2:45pm