Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• What is the cause of my COPD?
• If I stop smoking, how long will it take until I notice an improvement in my symptoms?
• What works best for smoking cessation: behavioral therapy or nicotine replacement therapy?
• What are my treatment options for COPD?
• What are the risks and benefits associated with the various treatments?
• Do you recommend pulmonary rehabilitation for your patients with COPD?
• What are the symptoms of an acute exacerbation of COPD?
• If I experience an acute exacerbation, should I contact your office or go to the emergency room for treatment?
• At what point is surgery considered as an option for severe emphysema?
• What types of emphysema surgery are avaialable?
• What are the risks and benefits of each type of surgery?
• Are there any support groups that you can recommend for people with COPD?