What Can I Do to Prevent My COPD From Getting Worse?

What Can I Do to Prevent My COPD From Getting Worse? (0:46)

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) usually results after years of smoking; the best way to keep it from getting worse is to quit. Watch pulmonologist Brian Gelbman, MD, explain why communicating with your doctor about symptoms is also key.

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is an inflammation of the airwaves that usually results after years of smoking. The best way to prevent COPD or to prevent it from getting worse is to quit smoking. Patients who continue to smoke while having a rapid decline in their lung function, while patients who quit smoking either before of after the diagnosis of COPD will have a stablilization in their lung function and hopefully on experience in progression for that.

The best way to also prevent COPD getting worse is to be in touch with your doctor and treating any exacerbations that may occur. Treating exacerbations may including going on inhaled therapies starting on antibiotics or even steroids to prevent the inflammation from getting worse.