Questions to Ask Your Primary Care Provider About COPD

This article was written by Stephanie Williams, BS, RRT.

Whether you're experiencing breathing challenges or have recently found out you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there are things you can do to help you live well with COPD. We've partnered with Village Medical™, a national primary care provider, to give you the information and tools you need to handle your COPD symptoms and diagnosis. The questions below can help you understand your condition better, manage your symptoms, and make the best choices about your health care.

Let's get started!

What is COPD and how do I know if I have it?

Your health care provider can help you understand COPD and its symptoms, treatment, and more.

"COPD is a lung disease that can become worse over time," said Dr. Troy Fiesinger, a primary care physician at Village Medical. "COPD makes it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness."

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you may need a spirometry breathing test. The test measures how much air your lungs can breathe in or out. It also measures how easily and fast you can blow air out of your lungs. This information can help your health care provider determine if you have COPD.

What kind of treatment options are available to me?

Each patient is different. Your primary care provider will work with you to make a plan that fits your needs.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Medications
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Oxygen Therapy
• Lifestyle Changes
• Vaccinations

"As primary care providers, we have tools to help treat COPD," explained Dr. Fiesinger. "But one of the most important things we do for our patients is give them the knowledge and resources to manage their symptoms."

What types of medications might be part of my treatment plan?

As part of your COPD treatment, your primary care provider may prescribe different medications depending on your symptoms. Each medication works differently to relieve your COPD symptoms. Your primary care provider can help you understand when and how to take them.

Some of the medications you may be prescribed include:

• Daily Use Medications: These are usually used for a long period of time. It can take days or weeks to begin to feel better.
• Medications to Manage Flare-Ups: These should be taken right away if you experience COPD symptoms. These can include shortness of breath, more coughing than usual, or wheezing or chest tightness when resting.
• Short-Acting Medications: These medications work quickly to relieve your shortness of breath. These help by relaxing the muscles around the lungs' breathing tubes.
• Oral Corticosteroids: These medications reduce swelling in the breathing tubes of the lungs. They are only used for a short time during a COPD flare-up.
• Antibiotics: These medications treat lung infections, which are often the cause of COPD flare-ups. They only work on infections caused by bacteria.

The COPD Foundation recommends talking with your health care provider before making changes to your COPD management plan.

How often should I see my primary care provider?

Dr. Fiesinger, a primary care doctor with Village Medical, recommends that patients with COPD schedule their primary care visits based on how severe their symptoms feel.

• Patients with mild COPD should visit their health care provider at least twice a year. If they have other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, they should come in every three months for monitoring.
• Patients with moderate to severe but stable COPD should visit their health care provider every three months (four times a year).
• Patients with severe and unstable COPD may need to visit their health care provider more frequently.

"Primary care physicians and advanced practice providers play a key role in COPD management," said Dr. Fiesinger. "They provide care for the whole patient. At Village, our care goes beyond a patient's physical health. We care for the emotional, mental, and even spiritual health of our patients. Talking with your primary care provider is key to breathing better with COPD long term."