is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease curable?
610057
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not curable.\n\nMost patients with COPD have some degree of reversible airways obstruction. It is therefore likely that, at first, treatment will lead to some improvement or stability in lung function. But as COPD progresses, almost all signs and symptoms except cough and sputum production tend to show a gradual worsening. This trend can show fluctuations, but over the course of 4 or 5 years, a slow deterioration becomes evident.\n\nRepeated bouts of increased cough and sputum production disable most patients and recovery from coughing attacks may take a long time. Patients with severe lung damage sleep in a semi-sitting position because they are unable to breathe when they lie down. They often complain that they awaken during the night feeling "choked-up," and they need to sit up to cough.\n\nSurvival of patients with COPD is closely related to the level of their lung function when they are diagnosed and the rate at which they lose this function. Overall, the median survival is about 10 years for patients with COPD who have lost approximately two-thirds of their normally expected lung function at diagnosis.\n\nCOPD gets gradually worse over time. At first there may be only a mild shortness of breath and occasional coughing. Then a chronic cough develops with clear, colorless sputum. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes more frequent and more and more effort is needed to get air into and out of the lungs. In later stages of the disease, the heart may be affected. Eventually death occurs when the function of the lungs and heart is no longer adequate to deliver oxygen to the body's organs and tissues.
910987
It is best if she continues to see the doctor for help.  It can be so many things, many of which with the right care can be controlled.\nI was born with a lung disease, but with the right care I can live a good life.
1058211
Yes...Medicare does cover pulmonary meds such as breathing treatments and inhalers.  Apria and Lincare are just two examples of nationwide companies that provide the breathing treatments and inhalers.  It is MUCH cheaper to purchase any nebulizer/inhaler meds through a company like the two mentioned above because Medicare will cover the meds whereas Medicare will not cover the pulmonary meds if bought at a regular pharmacy.
516139
When I gave up smoking I took horseradish and garlic capsules and they loosened the congestion on my lungs and I was able to cough up all the phlegm and get rid of it quickly. They can be bought at a health food store or chemist. Hope this helps and good on you for giving up.
1124721
I don't know what that is, but if your doctor told you, wouldn't she or he have also told you whether or not it's curable? I say ask the doc, or look it up on Webmd.com.
529470
THIS IS WORTH READING!   I was diagnosed with it in 2002, following severe and sudden breathing difficulty, mostly with exercise, then with even just walking on level ground!  After initial biopsy surgery, which followed three years of believing a doctor who was wrong, I was put on many different drugs, Isoniasid, Rifampin, Ethambutol, vitamin B6, as well as Prednisone which is supposed to alleviate the inflammation, but did not, or if yes, it only kept my condition from being worse than it was.  You're probably, or should be, having pulmonary function tests every three months.  That will tell your doc a lot about your condition.  But BEWARE, your diagnosis is not the word of the almighty - I went to Yale Univ Med and the Mayo Clinic, both said no to Sarcoidosis, probably Bronchiolitis, and that the biopsy slides were insufficient.  Now I'm off the Prednisone, and some better than before, but in my case, I also had a heart valve condition, now improved non-invasively.  But I do still have breathing problems that require supplemental oxygen at night and sometimes during the day.  Whatever you do, get a second, even a third opinion!  My Sarcoidosis was diagnosed at Mount Sinai in NYC, then I went to Yale, then the Mayo Clinic.  The best for lungs in the USA is supposed to be Denver Jewish Medical Center. You probably will need oxygen to fly.  Good luck to you!  canajo@yahoo.com
289993
His doctor should be the one to locate the best meds for him. I have COPD. Everyone is different and in different stages, so everyone requires something unique to their COPD.\n\nAlso, it is highly unusual to prescribe the right drugs in the beginning. Mine have changed many times. I also find that stress has a strong effect. So does the weather. After you have had the disease for awhile, you learn the triggers and what to avoid.\n\nTo me oxygen should be a very last resort. I am not a doctor but I would try everything else first. I want to avoid a tank or a tube up my nose for as long as I can.\n\nIt is just too difficult to give this kind of advice when you don't know everything. \n\nI am currently on Uniphyl(pill to open your lungs)and the inhalers,Advair, Spiriva and I have a nebulizer. The nebulizer works great for me. I am also on Zoloft and Xanax.\nEveryone questions my use of Xanax. I was experiencing severe spells during the early a.m. hours(between 4 & 6).I went to the hospital several times and once I was so bad I had to call an ambulance. I was turning blue. The Xanax and concentrated deep breathing stopped the spells completly.\n\nI am now on medical disability, My stress was so bad. I have been off work since Feb. 28,2006. I have not felt this good in years. I am 60 years old. I have to start exercising now. My COPD still stops me from a lot of things, but my breathing is 100% better. I found out how big a role stress can play with this disease.\n\nGOOD LUCK to your dad. I hope he finds what I have. We don't have to die........
690763
End stage of any disease means the disease is terminal and you don't have too long left to live without serious treatment.  Don't panic, there are options.  Nine years ago I had end stage pulmonary disease and less than a year to live.  I recieved a double lung transplant and am doing well.  I also have a brother, who like you is facing end stage liver disease and has been informed that he has no more than two years to live.  He is at this moment being worked up for a liver transplant.  Don't give up hope, talk to your doctor about what options may be available ro you and very importantly what youcan do to otherwise maintain your health.  Whatever happens you will need your strength.  Good luck and if the transplant route is available to you and you want more information or moral support, please feel free to contact me.
990580
The main concern with too much oxygen in COPDers is a condition called CO2 narcosis.  Essentially, you stop breathing.  I don't use oxygen but I can tell you that I have seen patients die from it.  Turning up the oxygen in general is okay but the point is \n\nwhy did your oxygen requirements go up.\n\nIn other words, its not about "getting permission" but rather its about talking to your doctor and letting him evaluate you.  Is your COPD flaring up and you need more aggressive treatment or are you developing a pneumonia and you need antibiotics.
1119748
Everyone is right, it is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a catch all for emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.\n\nIt is serious but not necessarily a death sentence. While it can be treated, it cannot be cured. With good medical care and monitoring ..it is possible to slow the progression of the disease.\n\nI don't know if it can be controlled with natural remedies. I, myself, am on Prednisone, Spiriva, Advair 250/50 and Xopenex via nebulizer 4 times a day as needed.\nI would be afraid to try any natural remedies because of the seriousness of COPD.\n\nYour Pulmonologist or Dr probably needs to do a Pulmonary Function test. Mine revealed a 58% lung capacity. Except for alot of shortness of breath..I still hold down a full time job--it is :however, a sit down job. There is some housework I cannot do and there are times...when just getting ready for work tires me out and leaves me breathless.\n\nYou will also notice that any respiratory virus that goes around will inevitably find it's way to you and go straight down into your chest...so if it is possible....avoid those who are sick.\n\nMost importantly---listen to your body. If you are short of breath..it is saying slow down and take it easy... Learn Pursed Lip breathing and get to the Dr at the first sign of a respiratory bug...there is nothing worse than ending up in the hospital with pneumonia or an exacerbation of COPD.\n\n~~Good Luck~~\n\nHere is a link to COPD International.\nYou might want to check the msg boards here, you can learn alot.\n\nhttp://www.copd-international.com/
908424
FIRST OF ALL DIABETIC IS NOT CURABLE BUT IT IS CONTROLLABLE.  FIRST OF ALL THERE IS MEDICINE IN AYURVEDA FOR THE PERSON WHO IS DEPENDABLE ON INSULIN.  SOME TABLETS ARE THERE TO LOW DOWN THE BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL.  BUT THESE ARE NOT MUCH SUCCESSFUL.  IT IS BETTER YOU DO REGULAR EXERCISES AND DOSE FIXED BY THE DOCTOR.
222556
The most effective treatment for asthma is identifying triggers, such as pets or aspirin, and limiting or eliminating exposure to them. Desensitization is commonly attempted, but has not been shown to be effective. As is common with respiratory disease, smoking adversely affects asthmatics in several ways, including an increased severity of symptoms, a more rapid decline of lung function, and decreased response to preventive medications. Asthmatics who smoke typically require additional medications to help control their disease. Furthermore, exposure of both nonsmokers and smokers to secondhand smoke is detrimental, resulting in more severe asthma, more emergency room visits, and more asthma-related hospital admissions. Smoking cessation and avoidance of those who smoke is strongly encouraged in asthmatics.\n\nThe Buteyko Method, or Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) is an set of breathing exercises developed by the Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko (Russian: Бутейко) that claim to alleviate various breathing disorders, such as asthma and emphysema.BBT advocates controlling the process of breathing in order to better regulate and even increase the quantity of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. \n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buteyko_method
342669
No, there is no cure, but there are some treatments that are effective for some people.  Check out www.helpforkp.com for treatment options.
921504
Wish I could help. But am not sure on how much longer she can live. Sounds pretty bad though. Pneaumonia with emphysema is very dangerous. Each ALONE is dangerous. I wish I could help you. Hope for her to get to doing better soon.
826267
You can visit the following web site that explains everything about C.O.P.D.  It is a seriouse lung disease.\n\nhttp://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35020\n\nMy uncle has this disease and had one lung removed because of it and has to sleep with a breathing machine every night.\n\nGood Luck :-)
657540
I live in Texas and my lungs still give me fits.\n\nI don't know if there is a state that is easier on us.\nWhen you have COPD there's all kind of triggers out there.\n\nIf you aren't already a member --go to COPD International and ask this question.
266380
I have copd. What I cough up is extremely thick and not always the same color. It's gray to yellow usually.\n\nMy doctor said when it is almost hard because it is so thick it is what they call a "plug". That is what clogs the tubes to your lungs and make it difficult to breathe. When you use your inhaler it breaks this up and you have to cough it up so you can breathe easier.\n\nIf I cough up the clear, slimy stuff I know there is more coming in order to breathe, I have to have the really gross plug come up.\n\nI never thought I would be talking like this to another human being(besides my doctor). This is too much and you actually want to know about it....