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The COPD Care Team
Who helps you manage your COPD? It’s more than just one doctor. It’s a medical care team.
What Kind of Doctors Treat COPD?1
Your COPD care team includes providers who prescribe medicine, guide therapy, and give recommendations on diet, exercise, and stress relief to help improve quality of life. The team may need to evolve as your symptoms and treatments change. Staying in communication with your COPD team is an important part of ongoing care.
Primary Care1
Your primary care provider may be the one who suspects or diagnose COPD when you first have symptoms; they may also treat mild to moderate COPD, and can refer you to a specialist (pulmonology). Primary care can prescribe medications to control symptoms, such as bronchodilators, and inhaled or oral steroids, or antibiotics to treat infection if needed.
Pulmonology1
Pulmonologists are lung specialists with advanced training in treating lung diseases like COPD. Besides creating an individual treatment plan based on symptoms and any other health problems, they may do procedures like bronchoscopy, looking deep inside your lungs to check for COPD damage. During a bronchoscopy, tiny coils or valves can be placed in the airway to help make it easier to breathe. A pulmonologist may also perform tests to check lung function.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation2
Pulmonary rehabilitation therapists are specialists who teach exercises and skills for better breathing and to be more active. Pulmonary rehab is appropriate for all stages of COPD.
Pharmacy1
Medications are an essential part of COPD management. Pharmacists may be able to consult with your team about medication dosages or help with over-the-counter medications that could help lessen your symptoms. Pharmacists can also inform about any vaccines that are important for people with COPD, and quitting smoking.
Mental Health1
Depression and anxiety are common in COPD; referral to a mental health therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist can help. Certain providers can prescribe medications for mental health conditions; however, relief or coping tips may also be found through therapy sessions.
Nutritionist or Dietitian1
Seeing a nutritionist or registered dietician (RD), particularly one who specializes in COPD, can help with maintaining a healthy weight, including specific tips for healthy eating that help with weight loss and weight gain.
References
- WebMD. COPD and Your Medical Care Team. https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-medical-care-team
- Agarwal AK, Raja A, Brown BD, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Stat Pearls. 2023. Last update August 7, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559281/
All URLs accessed February 13, 2024
