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I recently read somewhere on the ex that "millions have COPD and don't know it." Here's my question; if there is no cure for COPD and no medication that will stop it or minimize the effects, what is the purpose of getting tested before symptoms? Or if someone has some symptoms, can medication or treatment lessen its effect?
Thank you
These a great questions... for your doctor . We're not medical folks here.
From MY experience... COPD is an insidious disease, many may not know they have it until they are more limited than they want to be. Slowly but surely, they may stop doing things because of the COPD, with shortness of breath or lack of energy or both... and the less you do the less you are able to do. So knowing you have it can encourage more activity, which will improve ability to remain active.
COPD medications DO make breathing easier, they open up airways. Not a cure but helpful.
Also, knowing one has COPD and knowing that the one most recommended thing that can slow or stop the progression, since COPD IS progressive, is to quit smoking and stay quit... that can keep a quitter on the straight and narrow when those urges arise that say "just one for now, it won't hurt". Every puff with COPD hurts and damages.
Those are my opinions. I didn't know I had COPD until I was at Stage 3... sedentary job, no need to rush around, pretty soon asking others to do what little walking around needed in my job... retired, watched TV, going to the mailbox became a chore... insidious.
Knowing you have COPD us helpful to be able to manage your symptoms. I think knowing you have the disease you become more aware of your health. Learning to eat better, doing exercises that strengthen your major muscle groups to help with activities. Getting medications to help breath easier and more efficient. You also learn how to prevent exacerbation and/or seek treatment before its critical and you’re in the hospital. Mostly learning you have COPD if a smoker will hopefully will be enough incentive to quit.
You’re quite marciem it’s an insidious disease.
Our resident expert on COPD has a world of information on his page here: Thomas3.20.2010. I think it may be helpful to get diagnosed so you do specific exercises and use certain medications to slow the progression of the disease. I would think the sooner you start, the better your prognosis.
Nancy
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is so important, comorbidities make COPD much more dangerous. If you know you have it, you will hopefully start making healthy choices, like those already mentioned. Getting flu shots and pneumonia vaccines becomes even more important. Mysticcat’s comment about exacerbations is an important one, a bad exacerbation can cause more lung function loss. Understanding the warning signs and knowing the proper action to take is critical. Unfortunately some people have frequent exacerbations but there are treatments that some people respond well to. Maintaining proper O2 saturation with supplemental O2 is critical. If a person’s O2 saturation is low it can cause organ damage causing a type of heart failure and cognitive issues. In addition to medications there are also some procedures (valves) that can make breathing a little easier for some. As others have said, exercise is key. Lots of people start with pulmonary rehab it is important to learn how to exercise safely in order to maintain good O2 saturation and an appropriate heat rate.
To learn more about COPD there are some good web sites, some are better than others. The COPDFoundation.org has a fair amount of educational material that isn’t overly scientific. Another good one is the American Lung Association Lung.org.
Here is some info from the mayo clinic COPD - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
I should of thought of that JACKIE1-25-15
Please read COPD. You have excellent info above. I have been admitted 2X in one week. That means that I may miss my granddaughter's birthday party this Sunday. 
It is a question my own circle of smoking friends have asked , including myself .
What is the point of early diagnosis if it can't be reversed or cured ?
Be sure to ask these things of your doctor . They are the most knowledgeable and can give you the best answer pertaining to your circumstance.
I can only share my experience and that may be totally different than others .
My understanding is treatment CAN slow the progression of COPD . To me thats worth treatment .
It is my understanding that every person is different and the rate of progression for each person will be different .
My thoughts to my particular diagnosis were that if we can keep it at a snails pace then lets do our very best collaboratively to do that .
Knowing early on imo would be a very good thing for treament.
There is so much more advancement in treatment today that was not available years ago . Who knows what the years ahead will bring . Perhaps there will be a cure !
I'm going to take the best possible care of me now should that day come .
We all need to do that anyway . It's important . We have family and friends who love us. It's important to them as well .
I have a COPD and asthma overlap . My issues are more asthma related than copd according to my most recent PFT and pulmonologist accessment . The inhalers make breathing easier . I can do more of the things I love to do because of those treatments .
The information obtained by the doctors earlier on by PFT testing and scans were what helped them get the most accurate diagnosis and come up with the best possible treatment plan for my particular diagnosis .
Continued care and yearly PFTs helps monitor the progression so if need be medications can be adjusted , other treatment can be implemented etc. Excersise I'm learning is very mportant .
Medicines can do lots , doctors can do lots , but so can knowledge , positive attitude , activity and being proactive in our own care. It takes teamwork .
Denial is the hardest thing we face when we quit smoking . I also denied smoking was causing my breathing issues.
Fear , our biggest enemy .
My suggestion is any concerns or any questions always talk with your medical team . They are the professionals . You and they know you best .
Thank you so much for posting this question .
I have COPD and I take two inhalers every day... My lungs are clear and sound good according to my doctor. You and I can LIVE a GOOD life with COPD, as long as we don’t pick up you know what! I probably smoked longer than you and so if I can feel so much better, your chances are excellent, in my humble opinion... hang in there and never give up your quit! Rosemary
on Jan 15, 2020
There are meditations to help make living with COPD livable...not to mention there are different stages and often you can avoid getting worse, by using the meds...some on this site have also done Pulmonology therapy to help with their COPD....
~ Colleen 408 DOF