Neither asthma nor chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be cured
but treatment can reduce symptoms, prevent deterioration and improve daily life.
During attacks of breathlessness caused by airway narrowing, inhaled
medicines (bronchodilators) can open the airways and relieve symptoms. If
untreated, severe attacks can lead to death.
Appropriate management of asthma with inhaled corticosteroid medicine can
control the progression of the disease and reduce deaths. Long-term treatment
is required for people with persistent symptoms and exposures which trigger
symptoms (e.g. smoke, fumes, dust, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and
feathers) should be avoided.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is confirmed by a spirometry test,
which measures how much and how quickly a person can blow air out of their
lungs. Symptoms can be treated through medical and physical treatments;
however, with COPD in people who smoke tobacco, the most effective treatment
available is to stop smoking. This can slow down the progression of the disease
and decrease COPD-related deaths. In specific cases, people may benefit from using
inhaled corticosteroid medicines.