The Valuable Role of Primary Care in COPD Management

As a primary care doctor, I have diagnosed many patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. COPD can be hard to navigate because it tends to progress over time and receiving a COPD diagnosis is never easy. However, having a primary care doctor or advanced practice provider* (APP) by your side can make a huge difference in helping you to manage and treat your COPD.

Understanding COPD

 COPD is a complicated disease caused by damage to the lungs, sometimes – but not always – from long-term exposure to cigarette smoke or other irritating fumes or chemicals. It can lead to swelling and inflammation, blocking airflow in and out of the lungs. According to the American Lung Association, smoking is the leading cause of COPD, but exposure to secondhand smoke or air pollutants can also raise your risk. Common symptoms to be aware of include:

• Shortness of breath, especially while doing everyday activities
• A frequent cough with or without mucus
• Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe in or out)
• Chest tightness

COPD is not a disease that can be cured, but early detection can help you successfully manage and treat it.

 Early diagnosis

One of the most crucial roles of a primary care doctor or APP is to recognize the early signs of COPD. Through patient evaluations and routine screenings, they can identify if you have any warning signs like a history of smoking, pollutant exposure or a family history of lung diseases.

If you or your primary care doctor or APP suspect you might have COPD, your care team will do a lung test called spirometry to measure the amount of air that your lungs can hold at different times and the rate that air moves in and out of your lungs. Pulmonary function tests and imaging tests, like X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, can also be used to check on your condition’s progression over time and assess the effectiveness of your treatment plan.

Personalized treatment and continuous monitoring

Once you have been diagnosed with COPD, your primary care doctor or APP will create a treatment plan for you. At Village Medical™, I work with my patient to create what we call a Stay Well Care Plan, which is a tailored treatment plan that includes medications and lifestyle changes specific to their needs. COPD requires ongoing management, so it is important that you work with your doctor or APP to monitor the disease’s progression and adjust your treatment as needed. Regular visits will allow for:

• Tailored treatment: Treatment is based on the severity of your COPD, which can change over time. Frequent visits help your doctor or APP regularly track your lung function and symptom changes, which lets them better prescribe the right medications for you, such as inhalers, and provide guidance on smoking cessation, exercise and nutrition to help treat your specific needs.
  
  
• Help with sticking to your treatment plan: What keeps you on track with your treatment plan can differ by person, so your primary care doctor or APP is a valuable resource to help you work through any stressors and address any barriers that may stand in the way of your journey to better health. Treatment works best when you and your support system are committed to seeing progress and stick to your treatment plan.
  
  
• Providing emotional support and addressing mental health concerns: It’s important to start and continue conversations with your doctor or APP around your mental health or any social issues that you may be experiencing.
  
  
• Coordinating care through a multidisciplinary approach: Your primary care doctor or APP can coordinate care with your specialists, such as pulmonologists or respiratory therapists, to help make sure all your health needs are addressed.

Effective long-term management

My goal as a primary care doctor has always been to help my patients understand their diagnosis, figure out what it means for their daily lives, and help them address the medical, emotional and lifestyles aspects of COPD. If you have COPD, your primary care doctor or APP is not just your first point of contact but a long-term partner in your health management. They can help empower you to take control of your COPD, your health and lead a fulfilling life.

For more information on COPD, download our COPD Patient Education Materials. If you are a caregiver for someone with COPD, download our COPD Caregiver Packet.

*An advanced practice provider includes a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.