Best COPD Treatment in Hyderabad, India

Although there is no known cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), medication can help manage the symptoms and decrease the disease's progression. However, the chance of complications and flare-ups decreases with the earlier initiation of treatment. Below are the available treatment options for COPD:

• Nonpharmacological management of COPD 
• Pharmacological management of COPD 
• Surgical management of COPD

Non-pharmacological management of COPD

• Cessation of smoking: The most effective way to stop COPD from getting worse is to quit smoking. Giving up smoking may help prevent additional harm to the lungs and airways, even though many of the already existing damage cannot be reversed. 
• Diet: In individuals with COPD, the inadequate nutritional status associated with low body weight is linked to decreased diaphragmatic mass, reduced exercise capacity, and increased mortality rates. For COPD patients, nutritional support is essential for complete treatment. 
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended at all stages of COPD. It is a thorough approach customized for each patient and may include therapies such as behavioral modifications, education, and exercise training. The goal is to enhance the psychological and physical well-being of the patient. Group sessions are typically held twice a week for a minimum of six weeks in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Numerous healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, nurse specialists, and dietitians, conduct these classes. 
• Physical activity: Engaging in physical activity may improve overall health and strengthen the muscles that support breathing. 
• Air quality: Since poor air quality can significantly affect COPD symptoms and the likelihood of exacerbations, it is recommended that patients stay indoors during low air quality. 
• Immunization: People who have COPD are more vulnerable to pneumococcal and influenza-related problems. Although there is currently little evidence, the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine may protect COPD patients from morbidity in rare cases. Encouraging persons with COPD to have the yearly influenza vaccination and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine which lowers hospital admission rates as well as the chance of influenza and pneumonia-related deaths.
  

Pharmacological management of COPD

COPD treatment medications include bronchodilators (beta2-agonists, antimuscarinics, methylxanthines), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), glucocorticoids, phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors, and antibiotics, expectorants, and oxygen therapy.

• Bronchodilators: This medication is used to open the airways. It is administered with a puffer. Smooth muscle in the airways undergoes relaxation by beta2-agonists. Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) and long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) are frequently used in the treatment. By inhibiting the smooth muscle's M3 muscarinic receptors, antimuscarinics prevent bronchoconstriction. Methylxanthines cause mild bronchodilation by relaxing the smooth muscle in the airways. 
• In mild and asymptomatic COPD: The pulmonologist may recommend a short-acting bronchodilator that patients take only when they experience symptoms if their COPD is moderate and don't have symptoms frequently. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles adjacent to the airways to facilitate easier breathing. Short-acting bronchodilators last about four to six hours.
• Moderate or severe COPD: Long-acting bronchodilators last for at least 12 hours and may be necessary if a person's COPD is moderate or severe.
• Severe COPD: In cases of severe COPD or frequent flare-ups of symptoms, pulmonologists may prescribe a combination of bronchodilators and inhaled steroids which assist in lowering the swelling or inflammation in the airways that interferes with breathing. 
• Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS): To reduce inflammation, inhaled corticosteroids are frequently used with long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) and long-acting antimuscarinic agents (LAMAs). It has been demonstrated that ICS and LABA together are more advantageous than either medication used separately. Patients and doctors need to be aware that the use of ICS increases the risk of pneumonia. 
• Glucocorticoids: Long-term usage of glucocorticoids is not recommended due to their numerous side effects. Instead, these are appropriate to be saved for the treatment of acute exacerbations.
• Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors: Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors reduce inflammation by inhibiting intracellular cyclic AMP from breakdown. 
• Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is suspected in the patients, antibiotics need to be taken into consideration. 
• Expectorants: These medications may help the patients cough up more easily by loosening mucus. 
• Oxygen therapy: If individuals have low blood oxygen levels and severe COPD. They can breathe more comfortably with oxygen therapy. Patients may require more oxygen more often or only sometimes. Patients with COPD who are significantly hypoxic (low oxygen levels) at rest benefit from increased survival and improved quality of life if supplemental oxygen treatment is used for at least 15 hours per day. For patients with stable COPD and mild or absent hypoxemia at rest, oxygen lacks any significant benefits, nevertheless. Patients should not be provided oxygen if they smoke continuously because of the risk of possibly fatal upper airway and facial burns.
  

Surgical management of COPD

When medical therapy alone fails to control symptoms in severe situations, surgical intervention is needed and may even enhance the quality of life. Surgical intervention that includes lung volume reduction surgery, lung transplantation, or bullectomy may be necessary in such cases.

• Bullectomy: A surgery performed to remove an air pocket from one lung that improves lung function providing more comfortable breathing.
• Lung volume reduction surgery: A surgery to remove a severely damaged lung section to improve the function of the healthy lung tissue and improve breathing.
• Lung transplantation: It is the process of extracting a diseased lung and replacing it with a donor's healthy lung.

✅COPD prognosis

• The prognosis for COPD varies according to adherence to therapy, which includes giving up smoking and avoiding other harmful gases. The prognosis is usually worse for patients with other comorbidities (pulmonary hypertension, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, etc.). Dyspnoea and breathing restriction typically worsen over time.0000
• An approach for determining the risk of mortality in COPD patients is the BODE (Body-mass index (BMI), airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) index. 
  

What are some symptoms of COPD?

Shortness of breath, a long term cough with phlegm that does not go away, fatigue (feeling of tiredness), repeated chest infections, chest heaviness or tightness, and persistent wheezing or whistling are common symptoms of COPD. 

Can COPD symptoms come and go?

Yes, symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may come and go and can change in intensity throughout the day, week, and year. Symptoms may become unexpectedly severe during a flare-up, also known as an exacerbation, which may last for a few days or even weeks.

What causes COPD?

The most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is cigarette smoking. The lungs and airways are damaged by prolonged smoking or by breathing in tobacco smoke or airborne pollutants. In some cases, genetics may also cause COPD.

What is the difference between asthma and COPD? 

Both conditions cause a cough, but people with asthma frequently experience a dry cough that is worse at night and is commonly associated with allergens. On the other hand, years of smoking are usually the cause of COPD. 

What is bullae in COPD? 

Large, air-filled spaces called bullae are found in lung tissue and are frequently linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although bullae are often bigger than blebs, there is no particular limit to their size. 

What is salt therapy for COPD?

One well-known alternative treatment option for respiratory chronic disorders is salt therapy or halotherapy, which is used to prevent infections in the lungs. According to some research, halotherapy sessions are particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from COPD. With the advancement of technology, treating this condition with tiny inhalers filled with salt is now possible. 

Is COPD painful?

With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), long term pain is common. It is associated with reduced physical activity, sadness, and increased dyspnoea (shortness of breath). 

Is COPD worse at night or morning?

Morning symptoms often characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A significant number of individuals with COPD consider the morning as the most challenging time of day due to increased symptoms and restricted physical activity.

Is climbing stairs good for patients with COPD?

Patients with severe COPD noticed a similar decrease in PaO2 when walking or climbing stairs. Compared to walking, stair climbing caused more noticeable hyperinflation of the lungs, increased blood lactate levels, and more dyspnoea.