My boyfriend was just diagnosed with COPD. I have researched COPD the past few days, but have not found a clear description of which things cure symptoms and which keep the disease from progressing. And what specifically damages lungs more vs just causes symptoms to get worse.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a progressive chronic disease of the lung. Most commonly affect smokers. But can be seen in hereditary, alpha 1 anti trypsin deficiency, recurrent lung infection, occupational exposure with fumes and dust or age related. Most common is tobacco smoking. It is irreversible disease. So cure is not possible. We can control the disease and prevent its progression by following treatment.1. Quit smoking as soon as possible. This is the most vital part in treatment.2. Start inhaled bronchodilators.3. Enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercise are done.4. Vaccinate him with adult respiratory vaccines like pneumococcal and influenza vaccine to prevent future lung infection. So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. He needs chest x-ray and PFT (pulmonary function test).