Long-term nonpharmacologic management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
A comprehensive treatment plan for managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves appropriate use of nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic interventions. Nonpharmacologic intervention begins with an aggressive effort toward smoking cessation, which has been proven to slow the accelerated rate lung function that characterizes COPD and to decrease all-cause mortality in patients with COPD. Proper nutrition and regular exercise are vital for all patients. Some patients with documented hypoxemia from more severe disease may require long-term oxygen therapy. Pulmonary rehabilitation benefits most patients, and even surgical intervention with lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation may help a limited number of patients. This article reviews the nonpharmacologic interventions that may be used in conjunction with maximized pharmacologic therapy in the long-term management of patients with COPD.
Doherty
Dennis E
DE
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Briggs
Dick D
DD
D006801:Humans; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors