The three most common treatments for COPD are medication, oxygen therapy, and breathing exercises. They are all aimed at lessening symptoms and maintaining an active life.
1. Medications may be in nebulizer, inhaler, or pill form. There are many different medications to help treat the symptoms of COPD including bronchodilators, steroids, combination medications, and antibiotics.
2. Oxygen therapy is delivered from an oxygen machine or concentrator through a tube into your mouth or nose. There are portable machines allowing you to go almost anywhere with your oxygen therapy.
3. Breathing exercises help keep the lungs and diaphragm strong. There are two simple exercises—belly breathing and lip-pursed breathing—that only need to be done for 5–10 minutes per day or when symptoms are flaring up.