--- title: COPD Symptoms | COPD Treatment |COPD diagnosis | ResMed Asia description: Diagnosis and Treatment --- [** What are you looking for？](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/copd-diagnosis-and-treatment#cos-search) Show me the way to... ** - [ResMed Home](https://www.resmed.co.th/) - [Patients and families ](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer) - [Healthcare professionals](https://www.resmed.com/ap/en/healthcare-professional.html) [![](https://www.resmed.co.th/hubfs/Res-Med%20B2C%202019/country-flag-icons/11.png)](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/country_selector) [![resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121](https://www.resmed.co.th/hs-fs/hubfs/logo/resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121.png?width=140&name=resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121.png "resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121")](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer) [Magnet Update](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/mask-magnet-clip-guidelines) [ Diagnosis and treatment](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment) [Healthy sleep](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep) - [How to get a good night’s sleep](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep/how-to-get-a-good-night-sleep) - [What causes snoring?](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep/what-causes-snoring) - [What happens during sleep?](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep/what-happens-during-sleep) - [What should I do if I suspect a problem?](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep/what-should-i-do-if-i-suspect-a-problem) [All healthy sleep](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/healthy-sleep) [Sleep apnea](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/sleep-apnea) - [What is sleep apnea and what are the symptoms?](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/sleep-apnea/what-is-sleep-apnea-and-what-are-the-symptoms) - [Sleep apnea quiz](https://www.resmed.co.th/th-th/sleep-assessment) - [How to get a sleep apnea test](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/sleep-apnea/diagnosis-sleep-apnea-test) - [Sleep apnea Screening Tools](https://www.resmed.co.th/th-tools) - [Sleep apnea treatment](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-treatment) [All sleep apnea](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/sleep-apnea) [Respiratory care](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care) - [Diagnosis](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/diagnosis) - [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd) - [Neuromuscular disease](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/neuromuscular-disease) - [Obesity hypoventilation syndrome](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/ohs) - [Restrictive lung disease](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/chest-wall-disorders) - [Respiratory support for children ](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/respiratory-support-for-children) - [Treatment options](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/chest-wall-disorders/treatment-options) [All respiratory care](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care) [Patient stories](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories) - [Matt's story](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories/matt-story) - [Barry's story](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories/barry-story) - [Kevin's story](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories/kevin-story) - [Diana's story](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories/diana-story) - [Brian's story](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories/brian-story) [All stories](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/patient-stories) [ Products](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/products/resmed-product-series) For people with sleep apnea, healthy sleep begins with understanding the condition and its treatment. 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[ Support](https://ap.resmed.com/knowledge) [Product support](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support) - [Masks](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/devices) - [Devices](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/humidifiers) - [Humidifiers](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/accessories) - [Accessories](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/getting-started) [All product support](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support) [Your therapy journey](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support) - [Getting started](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/getting-started) - [Therapy & maintenance](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/therapy-and-maintenance) - [Replacement](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/replacement) [All articles in your therapy](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support) Popular articles - [Cleaning your mask](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/masks/how-to-clean-your-mask) - [Setting up your humidifier](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/humidifiers/setting-up-your-humidifier) - [The advantages of AutoSet](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/devices/the-advantages-of-autoset) [Glossary](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/support/glossaries) ![](https://www.resmed.co.th/hubfs/logo/resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121.png) ** × ResMed home Patients and families Healthcare professionals [**](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/copd-diagnosis-and-treatment#cos-search) ** txt ## COPD diagnosis and treatment ![](https://www.resmed.co.th/hubfs/Res-Med%20B2C%202019/Healthy%20Sleep/why_treat_COPD.png) ### How is COPD diagnosed? Your doctor will diagnose COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) based on your symptoms, medical history, a physical examination and a test of how you are breathing, also known as **spirometry.**1 During spirometry testing, the doctor will ask you to blow into a tube, and the test will record the different measurements of air volume and pressure as you breathe out. Some doctors may also recommend that you have an X-ray or CT scan, so they can have a closer look at your lungs. In some cases, a blood test may be used to assess the levels of **oxygen (O2)** and **carbon dioxide (CO2)** in your blood. ### How is COPD treated? Although there is currently no cure for COPD, there are treatments available to relieve its symptoms, and slow down its long-term development. Recommended treatments may include: 1. **Quitting smoking. **If you are a smoker, the most essential part in preventing your COPD from progressing any further is to quit smoking.2 2. **Medications **These include various inhalers, steroids and antibiotics as needed to help you manage your symptoms, and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups (also known as acute exacerbations).2 3. **Pulmonary rehabilitation. **A program combining exercise with education about your disease will also help you cope with symptoms, and better manage your COPD.2 4. **Nutritional changes **For some people with COPD, dietary changes can help patients feel better.2 5. **Oxygen therapy **For patients with inadequate levels of oxygen saturation in their blood (a condition known as hypoxia), oxygen therapy can help.2 6. **Non-invasive ventilation.** Adding non-invasive ventilatory support to conventional therapy can reduce breathlessness, and improve respiratory rate and blood gas exchange.2 It can also improve the quality of life.5 ### How can non-invasive ventilation help in COPD treatment? Because COPD affects your ability to breathe properly (inhaling enough oxygen and exhaling enough carbon dioxide), you can end up with 2 problems: 1. Not enough oxygen in your bloodstream (Hypoxia) 2. Too much carbon dioxide in your bloodstream (Hypercapnia) Although oxygen therapy can address low levels of oxygen, it does not address carbon dioxide retention, but non-invasive ventilation can.3 With increasing evidence supporting the use of non-invasive ventilation, it is becoming a more widely used therapy alongside standard treatments for certain patients. Some of these observed benefits of non-invasive ventilation include shorter hospital stays and readmission rates, reduced need for invasive intubation,4 and improved survival and quality of life.5 If you have hypercapnic symptoms, such as shortness of breath and morning headaches, you can ask your doctor about **non-invasive ventilation.** ResMed provides non-invasive ventilators that are suitable for people with COPD. Learn more about [ResMed’s ventilators.](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/products/devices) ### Reference 01 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). “Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD, 2015.” Goldcopd.com. http://www.goldcopd.org/uploads/users/files/GOLD_Report_2015_Sept2.pdf (accessed November 9, 2015) 02 McKenzie DK et al. The COPDX Plan: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2003. Med J Aust. 2003;178(6):S15-29. 03 Brill SE and Wedzicha JA. Oxygen therapy in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014;9:1241–1252. 04 Galli JA et al. Home non-invasive ventilation use following acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in COPD. Respir Med. 2014;108(5):722-8. 05 Koehnlein T et al. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for the treatment of severe, stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective, multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial. Lancet Resp Med 2014;2:698-705. ## More COPD [ What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? ** ](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/what-is-copd) Symptoms include build-up of mucus, cough and shortness of breath. Characterised by bronchitis ... [ The role of non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of COPD ** ](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/role-of-niv-in-copd) How does non-invasive ventilation help treat COPD? By enhancing the exchange of oxygen and ... [ ResMed’s non-invasive ventilation solutions ** ](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/role-of-niv-in-copd) ResMed’s portable ventilators and comfortable masks have been widely used by COPD patients to ... ## Share [Share via Email ](mailto:?subject=COPD+Symptoms+%7C+COPD+Treatment+%7CCOPD+diagnosis+%7C+ResMed+Asia&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resmed.co.th%2Fen-th%2Fconsumer%2Fdiagnosis-and-treatment%2Frespiratory-care%2Fcopd%2Fcopd-diagnosis-and-treatment) [![](https://www.resmed.co.th/hubfs/Res-Med%20B2C%202019/Social%20Icons/icon-social-print1.png) ](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/copd-diagnosis-and-treatment#) [Share via Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resmed.co.th%2Fen-th%2Fconsumer%2Fdiagnosis-and-treatment%2Frespiratory-care%2Fcopd%2Fcopd-diagnosis-and-treatment) [Share via Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resmed.co.th%2Fen-th%2Fconsumer%2Fdiagnosis-and-treatment%2Frespiratory-care%2Fcopd%2Fcopd-diagnosis-and-treatment&text=COPD+Symptoms+%7C+COPD+Treatment+%7CCOPD+diagnosis+%7C+ResMed+Asia) [Share via LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resmed.co.th%2Fen-th%2Fconsumer%2Fdiagnosis-and-treatment%2Frespiratory-care%2Fcopd%2Fcopd-diagnosis-and-treatment&title=COPD+Symptoms+%7C+COPD+Treatment+%7CCOPD+diagnosis+%7C+ResMed+Asia&summary=Diagnosis+and+Treatment) [Share via Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.resmed.co.th%2Fen-th%2Fconsumer%2Fdiagnosis-and-treatment%2Frespiratory-care%2Fcopd%2Fcopd-diagnosis-and-treatment) [**](https://www.resmed.co.th/en-th/consumer/diagnosis-and-treatment/respiratory-care/copd/copd-diagnosis-and-treatment#) **This webpage content is intended for Healthcare Professionals only, not for general public.** The content available through this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the professional judgment of a health care professional in diagnosing and treating patients. 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