Therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical entity characterized by partially reversible airway obstruction of progressive course. If not properly treated it can lead to permanent disability. All attention should be focused on disease prevention, but once it has been diagnosed it requires adequate therapy to slow down the progression. COPD consists of a stable disease phase and acute exacerbation phase (AE). The goal of the stable COPD treatment is to prevent disease exacerbations and achieve long-term improvement of pulmonary functions and the patients physical shape. Quitting smoking is the most efficient measure used to reduce the risk of developing and for slowing disease progression. Other therapeutic procedures include dietary measures, pharmacotherapy, oxygen therapy and physical therapy. Pharmacotherapy is different in stable disease and in AE. 

Key words:
bronchodilatators; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); exacerbations; farmacotherapy; guidelines