Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A review of nonpharmacologic therapies

• Objective: To provide an evidence-based review of the important nonpharmacologic therapies in the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). • Methods: Literature review. • Results: COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. COPD represents a significant economic burden both for individuals and for society. COPD is a chronic, systemic disease requiring a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach to its care and management. Treatment approaches include a combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies applied in a step-wise fashion based on airflow limitation severity criteria and patient symptoms. Smoking cessation, vaccinations, maintaining physical activity, adequate nutrition, reducing occupational and environmental exposures, and ensuring psychological health are the cornerstones of longterm management of COPD. • Conclusion: The care of patients with COPD requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves not only pharmacologic therapies but also meticulous attention to the physical, social, and psychological well being of the individual. An individualized prescription of nonpharmacologic therapies is necessary to address the systemic disease that is COPD.