COPD, emphysema and bronchitis

• Avoid contact with people who have a respiratory infection, meaning people who are contagious.
• Wash your hands frequently. 
• Get vaccinated. You and the people in your household should get a flu shot. Your doctor may also suggest the pneumonia vaccine.

• Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.
• Avoid strong odours.
• Declutter your home so dust doesn’t accumulate.

• Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.
• Avoid strong odours.
• Avoid smog.
• Avoid exhaust emissions and industrial fumes.

• Practice your breathing and relaxation techniques.
• Talk about your feelings with your loved ones.

When it is COLD:

• Dress warmly and cover your nose with a scarf

When it is HOT:

• Opt for cool air-conditioned places.*
• Drink enough water (unless instructed otherwise by your doctor).
• Avoid overly stenuous activities.
• Wear light-weight clothing and a hat.

*A federal tax credit is available.

Spirometry is the most reliable way to diagnose COPD. You will be asked to blow as long and as hard as you can into a tube attached to a machine. This machine will measure how much air is forcefully expelled from your lungs when you start to exhale and how long it takes to blow out all the air from your lungs.

This test is usually done before the administration of a medication that opens the bronchi and is repeated about 10 minutes later. The difference between the two results will provide the doctor with valuable information to confirm a COPD diagnosis. Spirometry is also a useful tool for measuring disease progression.

This exam uses X-rays to obtain a picture of your lungs so the doctor can detect respiratory infection, bronchial disease, tumour or something else.

This test is complementary to spirometry and, in some cases, can be performed after a COPD diagnosis for an even more accurate diagnosis.

A full lung function test lasts approximately 45 minutes and is more demanding than spirometry. In particular, it evaluates the diffusion capacity of the lungs, meaning their ability to carry oxygen to the bloodstream and, conversely, to remove another gas, specifically carbon dioxide (CO₂), a waste product produced by our bodies.

Short-acting: These drugs are considered “rescue medications” and must be kept with you at all times. They work by quickly opening the airways (within 15 minutes). In some cases, the doctor may recommend that they be taken regularly.

• • Ventolin^® metered-dose inhaler
  • Ventolin^® Diskus^®
  • Bricanyl^® Turbuhaler^®

Long-acting:  These drugs are indicated for the maintenance treatment of COPD and are taken regularly. They reduce shortness of breath, flare-ups and, generally speaking, improve quality of life. The effect on the airways lasts between 12 and 24 hours. Their onset of action is, however, slower than that of the short-acting beta₂-agonists. Therefore, the following medications should not be used to manage an acute episode.

• • Onbrez^® Breezhaler^®
  • Serevent^® Diskus^®
  • Oxeze^® Turbuhaler^®

Short-acting: Short-acting medications in this drug class are usually taken on a regular basis, namely several times a day every day. They work by opening the airways quickly (within 15 minutes) and, as a result, reduce shortness of breath. In some instances, the doctor may recommend that an anticholinergic be taken on an “as-need” basis.

• Atrovent^® metered-dose inhaler

Long-acting: Long-acting medications in this drug class are indicated for the maintenance treatment of COPD and are taken regularly. They reduce shortness of breath, flare-ups and, generally speaking, improve quality of life. The effect on the airways lasts between 12 and 24 hours. Their onset of action is, however, slower than that of the short-acting anticholinergics. Therefore, the following medications should not be used to manage an acute episode.

• Seebri^® Breezhaler^®
• Tudorza^® Genuair^®
• Incruse^® Ellipta^®
• Spiriva^® Respimat^®
• Spiriva^® Handihaler

Short-acting: This therapeutic combination combines a short-acting beta₂-adrenergic drug and a short-acting anticholinergic drug. Generally speaking, it is used as rescue medication but can also be used as COPD maintenance treatment.

• Combivent^® Respimat^®

Long-acting: This therapeutic combination combines a long-acting beta₂-adrenergic drug and a long-acting anticholinergic drug. It is part of a COPD maintenance regimen that reduces shortness of breath, wheezing, and flare-ups, thereby improving quality of life. The effect on the airways lasts between 12 and 24 hours. The onset of action is, however, slower than that of the short-acting combination listed above. Therefore, the following combination drugs should not be used to manage an acute episode.

• Ultibro^® Breezhaler^®
• Duaklir^® Genuair^®
• Anoro^® Ellipta^®
• Inspiolto^® Respimat^®

These types of anti-inflammatories reduce the frequency of flare-ups. Under no circumstances, however, can they be used as the sole treatment in COPD. They must be taken if a bronchodilator is also used.

• Flovent^® metered-dose inhaler
• Flovent^® Diskus^®
• Pulmicort^® Turbuhaler^®

Medications combining one or more long-acting bronchodilators with a corticosteroid are also available. The combination of these formulations reduces both the handling of medications and risks of forgetting to take them.

• Advair^® metered-dose inhaler
• Advair^® Diskus^®
• Symbicort^® Turbuhaler^®
• Breo^® Ellipta^®
• Trelegy^® Ellipta^®

These medications are taken regularly as tablets or a syrup. They reduce inflammation in the lungs and, as result, shortness of breath. Under no circumstances are they to be taken as emergency medication; they must always be prescribed as complementary medication to an inhaled bronchodilator.

• • Daxas^®
  • Theophyllines