Management of the symptomatic patient.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is both preventable and treatable. There has been a significant reduction in premature morbidity and mortality from heart disease and stroke, the number 1 and 3 killers in the United States, respectively, largely because of efforts to increase both clinician and public awareness of these diseases. Early and aggressive management of COPD has not yet reached the same level. Primary care professionals are in the forefront in the early detection, prevention, and treatment of this serious national health problem.
Doherty
Dennis E
DE
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents