MANAGEMENT OF COPD - EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND ACTIVE INTERVENTION ARECRUCIAL

Medical management of COPD begins with an awareness of risk factors. a nd identification of at-risk patients. Once disease is identified, pat ient and family education, a smoking cessation program, and an appropr iate bronchodilator regimen should he initiated. Airway secretions and infections should be minimized, hypoxemia corrected, and other second ary physiologic disturbances evaluated when appropriate. Participation in a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program can markedly impr ove symptoms, function, exercise performance, and quality of life. The results are a reduction in patient limitations, medical expenses, and dependence on medical facilities and caregivers.