It's Never Too Late to Start COPD Treatment.

Based on your symptoms and a test of your breathing, your doctor will be able to tell you how severe your COPD is. And what the best treatments are. Quitting smoking is the only way to slow the progression of COPD. But the good news is that it is treatable at any stage.

The overall goals of treating COPD are to:

Three powerful ways you can fight COPD.

Lifestyle Changes
Simple lifestyle changes can play a big role in treating your COPD. These include choices like quitting smoking, following a healthy diet, and exercising.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you feel stronger and do more. And this can actually aid in reducing some of the symptoms of COPD.

Rehabilitation can help you breathe better. Here are some exercises you can discuss with your doctor that may help.

COPD Medications
There are two kinds of inhaled medicines used for COPD:

• Bronchodilators relax and widen narrowed airways in the lungs so more air can get through
• Corticosteroids reduce the amount of swelling in the airways so more air can get through

Some COPD medications contain both a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid. Others may contain more than one type of bronchodilator.

Another important way to think about these medicines is how they work, and how long they last:

• Short-acting bronchodilators are called "rescue" medicines. They help you catch your breath when you have sudden breathing problems
• Long-acting bronchodilators are called "daily management" medicines or maintenance medicines. These are for long-term therapy and help you breathe easier longer

Find out more about rescue medicines and daily management medicines.