As an American, it’s easy to look at the prices you pay for medication and…
Can Medication Treatment Help Treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
If you suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), it is likely that you have been hearing about the effects of various drugs on your health. This disease can be caused by many different things, and the medications that are available can actually work in very different ways. That being said, however, there are some drugs that have been shown to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from COPD. The best medicine for COPD is a combination of different drugs that work in harmony. The goal is to reduce the symptoms, but to do so without increasing the risk of an asthma attack.
There are a few different medicines that can be used to treat COPD. For example, there are several different classes of inhaled corticosteroids. These can be acquired over the counter, or with a prescription. However, a new generation of medicine called Envirolet and Budesonide, use pure corticosteroids that are inhaled, instead of taking them by mouth. They are also absorbed into the blood stream and therefore don’t produce side effects like other medicines.
One other treatment method is to infuse air purifiers into the lungs. This type of treatment, however, may cause side effects like coughing and wheezing. Other options include lung volumes that are slightly smaller and increasing the oxygen concentration in the patient’s blood. Doctors often recommend both methods, to allow patients to breathe easier. In some cases, doctors may also suggest that patients take a class of anti-inflammatory medicines along with their medication.
Newer medicine, called Albuterol, is also effective in improving the quality of life of COPD patients. It is taken in pill form and works by reducing the amount of time that patients spend in their beds. Although this medication has not yet been approved by the FDA, it has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical trials. It appears that the combination of medication and therapy can help patients live longer and more productive lives.
If doctors determine that the cause of COPD is smoking, they will often urge their patients to
quit. Quitting can improve the quality of life and the health of patients. Smoking causes inflammation throughout the body, but it is most notable in the lungs. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of death in people over 50 years old. Therefore, if it can be prevented, it is strongly recommended.
Patients should speak to their doctors about the treatment options available for them. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be controlled and managed. However, if the cause of the illness is unknown or if the symptoms are severe, then there may be no cure. Treatments can improve the quality of life of those who suffer from it. If the symptoms are mild, physicians may prescribe an asthma inhaler to control symptoms and provide relief from the symptoms.