Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cannot be cured, it can be managed. Treatment for COPD focuses on:

• Slowing the progression of the disease by avoiding tobacco smoke and other environmental factors, such as air pollution.
• Reducing and controlling symptoms, such as shortness of breath.
• Increasing your activity level.
• Improving your overall health.
• Preventing and treating a COPD exacerbation-a rapid and sudden increase in your cough, amount of mucus, and/or shortness of breath-and other complications.

Following your treatment plan may reduce symptoms enough to allow you to participate in hobbies, daily activities, and family events.

Because people are diagnosed at different stages of COPD, your initial treatment will depend on the severity of your COPD and your associated symptoms.

Initial treatment

Initial treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) helps you breathe better and slow the disease. It includes:

• Quitting smoking. This is the most important step you can take to prevent or slow damage to your lungs-it is never too late to stop smoking. No matter how long you have had COPD or how serious it is, quitting smoking will help slow the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life. Nicotine replacement therapy, use of the medication bupropion (Zyban or Wellbutrin), and supportive therapy significantly increase long-term success in quitting.⁵ For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
• Doing all you can to make breathing easier.
  • Avoid conditions that may irritate your lungs, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, smog, cold dry air, hot humid air, or high altitudes.

    Avoiding triggers for COPD

  • Take rest breaks. Schedule rest breaks when doing household chores and other activities. An occupational or physical therapist can help you find ways to do everyday activities with less effort.
  • Learn breath training techniques to improve airflow in and out of your lungs.

    Breath training for COPD

  • Learn ways to clear your lungs that can help you save energy and oxygen.

    Clearing your lungs when you have COPD

• Staying as active as possible and getting regular exercise. Exercise improves shortness of breath and will help you be more active. If you stay active, you may develop fewer complications, have a better attitude about your life and the disease, and be less likely to feel depressed or isolated from friends and family. For more information on exercising with COPD, see:

  Exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• Assessing the need for oxygen treatment, which is mainly used to prevent or slow the worsening of right-sided heart failure and to prevent premature death. For more information, see:

  Using oxygen at home.

• Avoiding respiratory illnesses, such as the flu (influenza) and pneumonia. Avoiding these illnesses can help prevent COPD getting worse. Talk with your health professional about getting a yearly flu shot and the pneumococcal vaccine (which can help protect against complications of pneumonia). Usually, people need only one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine. But doctors sometimes recommend a second dose for some people, especially if they have a long-term disease. Talk with your doctor about whether you need a second dose.
• Eating regularly and well. Problems with muscle weakness and weight loss are frequent with COPD. For more information, see:

  Eating well when you have COPD.

  Avoiding weight loss when you have COPD.