What are the treatment options for COPD?

COPD may be treated with a range of different medicines, but most treatments are aimed at relieving breathlessness.

If you’re still a smoker and you have COPD, one of the most important things to do is give up smoking. This will slow down the rate at which COPD worsens and you will be able to feel fitter for longer.

Doctors will prescribe inhalers to open the airways to make breathing less difficult.

For COPD patients who lose muscles or muscle strength, treatment should include gentle exercise and Respifor^.®. This exercise can be done at home, or at a local clinic. Taking Respifor^.® and doing gentle exercise such as walking (for a few minutes per day) really helps improve physical performance.

People with COPD often develop lung infections, so antibiotics may also be required. Doctors may also prescribe drugs to reduce mucus and fluid in the chest.

As COPD gets worse, many patients need to use oxygen to breathe properly. In some severe cases, treatments may include surgery to alter, or even replace the lungs.

If you have COPD and have recently been losing weight quickly (more than 3kg in a month, or 6kg in the last 6 months), or you know your Body Mass Index (BMI) is equal to or has fallen below a BMI of 21, or have experienced a loss in your physical strength, speak to your doctor, as Respifor^.® may help.

BMI is calculated by taking a person's weight and dividing by their height squared. For example, if your height is 1.8 metres, the divisor of the calculation will be (1.8 x 1.8) = 3.24. If your weight is 65 kilograms, then your BMI is (65 / 3.24) = 20

Alternatively, there are many easy to use BMI calculators available online. See also under links.