title: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: The diagnosis of COPD can easily be made on the basis of history, physical findings, and simple laboratory procedures. Treatment is aimed at symptoms and is individualized to the patient's needs. Therapy must be given on a long-term basis. The patient should be educated in the basic nature of his disease and encouraged to return to as normal a life as possible. Patients with COPD often are severely restricted in their earning ability, and treatment can cause a severe financial drain. Thus the physician should carefully consider costs--especially the cost of medications. Finally, the correct choice and use of the many therapeutic measures available can yield marked symptomatic relief and improvement in lifestyle--often allowing the patient to return to productive employment.
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006140:Guaifenesin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005100:Expectorants; D006140:Guaifenesin; D011241:Prednisone; D000111:Acetylcysteine