Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Treating chronic obstructive disease is not easy.
It should be borne in mind that this serious lung damage was caused by the chronic inhalation of harmful substances for many years.
An important, but not very positive fact remains that the pathological changes of the respiratory system are chronic, serious, and almost irreversible, ie irreversible.

However, pharmacological therapy, as well as non-pharmacological interventions, can to some extent improve lung function, lung capacity, alleviate the symptoms, reduce the incidence of exacerbations, and thus improve the patient's quality of life, mortality, and morbidity.

This means that not only drugs, but the complexity of treatment can significantly modify the disease, slow its progression, and thus prolong and improve the patient's life.

The treatment of COPD can be divided into three basic groups:

• Pharmacological treatment of COPD - drug therapy
• Oxygen therapy in the treatment of COPD - oxygen therapy
• Non-pharmacological treatment of COPD - other non-drug interventions

Pharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

In the treatment of chronic obstructive disease, several drugs are used simultaneously.

The basis is bronchodilators , ie drugs that help widen the airways and thus alleviate obstruction.
Also important are inhaled corticosteroids , which prevent darkness from repeating exacerbations in the patient.
In addition, selective PDE-4 inhibitors, systemic corticosteroids, mucolytics, antibiotics, antivirals, antidepressants and others are used.

Table with medicinal products used in COPD:

Non-pharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Non-pharmacological treatment of COPD includes prevention and other interventions.

1. However, the prevention of the disease is recommended at a time when the patient is not yet suffering from the disease and thus prevents its occurrence. However, in chronic obstructive disease, adherence to preventive measures is especially important because it prevents the progression of the disease.

Prevention of COPD:

• do not smoke or try to avoid a smoking environment
• avoid dusty or risky environments (work, home - solid fuels - ventilation)
• protect yourself from the occurrence of infection and its recurrence (disinfection, treatment, drape in a risky environment)
• see a doctor regularly (check-ups)

2. Other interventions include those that help the patient improve lung function, eliminate symptoms, and increase physical strength and quality of life.

Other interventions for COPD can be performed at home:

• take walks in nature in the fresh air
• ventilate regularly to allow fresh air to breathe at home
• learn to practice breathing exercises
• home oxygen therapy - oxygen treatment in the home environment
• ask a relative to master the technique of knocking mucus
• use mechanical aids for suction of mucus that cannot be coughed (suction pump)
• get vaccinated (flu, pneumococcal infections)

Other medical interventions for COPD:

• rehabilitation and exercise to increase physical activity in the presence of a healthcare professional
• oxygen therapy in the hospital with simultaneous measurement of blood oxygenation and hypercapnia (increased carbonation of the blood)
• non - invasive pulmonary ventilation
• lung surgery
• lung transplant

Oxygen therapy in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Oxygen therapy , or also oxygen therapy, can be classified as pharmacological therapy, non-pharmacological therapy, but it can also be concluded as a separate chapter.
Oxygen therapy increases the oxygenation of the blood with its low oxygen saturation (low oxygen saturation of the arterial blood), at the same time strengthens the immune system and thus prevents the development of infections. It improves energy status, physical performance and has a positive effect on the psyche.

Oxygen therapy is not only healing but also a regenerative method in which the patient inhales appropriate doses of oxygen using an oxygen mask or oxygen goggles. 

Why adequate doses?
Can inhalation of oxygen harm?

Everyone knows that oxygen in the inhaled atmospheric air makes up 21%.
The air further consists of 78% nitrogen, 0.93% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide and other gases (helium, neon and krypton).
However, the oxygen concentration when inhaled from an oxygen bomb is up to 95%!

Excessive and prolonged inhalation of concentrated oxygen can cause damage to the lung vesicles or can cause swelling of the lungs.
It also reduces the heart rate, which is the opposite of the desired effect, namely the hypoxia of organs, up to their damage.