title: [New therapeutic approaches to COPD].
abstract: Classification of severity of the disease is the basis of the therapeutic concept for chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Besides pharmacological treatment, preventive measures and rehabilitation with training are the main parts of COPD therapy. Weaning patients of cigarette smoking is of utmost importance in every stage for the course of the disease. Inhalative short acting bronchodilators on demand are the basis of treatment in all stages as well as long acting bronchodilators from stage II on as continuous medication. Theophyllines are of additional importance in higher degrees of the disease. Inhalative steroids are indicated in severe stages III or higher, systemic steroids only during exacerbations as short course therapy. Oxygen long time treatment, intermittent non-invasive ventilation, and operations in some cases are additional therapies.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Donaustauf, Universität Regensburg. michael.pfeifer@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013256:Steroids