Support for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, your NYU Langone pulmonologist monitors you during regular follow-up visits. The frequency of visits depends on the severity of the condition. People with severe COPD see their doctor monthly or every two weeks. Those with less severe symptoms may see their doctor every few months.

At these appointments, your doctor makes sure that your medications are working, monitors your oxygen levels, and may repeat pulmonary function testing.

Many people with COPD are able to control their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life. Your doctor may refer you to a variety of support services to help you manage the condition.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

At NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation, people with COPD get a personal evaluation from a certified physical therapist or exercise physiologist. He or she uses the results of the evaluation to create an exercise program tailored to your individual needs.

The goals of pulmonary rehabilitation are to strengthen the lungs to improve cardiopulmonary function, create easier breathing, and prevent lung infections.

Surgery

Surgical procedures, such as lung transplantation, may be an option for people with severe COPD that is not responding to medication. NYU Langone doctors can refer you to the appropriate specialists as necessary.

Smoking Cessation

Doctors strongly discourage people with COPD from smoking, since it can exacerbate symptoms and lead to further lung damage. NYU Langone’s Tobacco Cessation Programs provide you with the tools and support you need to help you quit for good.

Emotional Support

If you are diagnosed with COPD, you may feel anxious about your health. NYU Langone counselors are available to speak with you and your family and offer advice on how to cope with a chronic illness.

Palliative Care

If COPD has progressed, NYU Langone’s palliative care team can provide home or inpatient care focused on decreasing breathlessness and pain and improving a person’s quality of life.