Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR)
Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is an innovative treatment option using bronchoscopy to treat severe emphysema.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Lung diseases that keep you from breathing normally, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) consists of lung diseases that keep you from breathing normally, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Cigarette smoking most often causes COPD but air pollution and heredity may contribute to its development.
At IU Health, Pulmonology & Respiratory Care specialists provide personalized care for your specific needs and lifestyle.
Pulmonology and respiratory care specialists use a series of pulmonary function tests to diagnose COPD. During these pulmonary function tests, pulmonologists will assess:
- how well you can hold air in your lungs
- how quickly you can force air from your lungs
- your lung volume
Other diagnostic tools include:
- Chest X-rays
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Lung scans
- Pulse oximetry to test the amount of oxygen in the blood
Diagnosis
Pulmonology and respiratory care specialists use a series of pulmonary function tests to diagnose COPD. During these pulmonary function tests, pulmonologists will assess:
- how well you can hold air in your lungs
- how quickly you can force air from your lungs
- your lung volume
Other diagnostic tools include:
- Chest X-rays
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Lung scans
- Pulse oximetry to test the amount of oxygen in the blood
IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care experts provide leading-edge care while researching new treatments for pulmonary diseases such as COPD. IU Health’s comprehensive system of care employs inpatient and outpatient treatments such as medications, pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy, tailored to fit your lifestyle.
IU Health hospitals throughout the state include award-winning pulmonology services at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis. Your IU Health care team will strive to help you breathe better and continue to live an active lifestyle after a COPD diagnosis.
IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care physicians offer a full range of treatment options for mild to severe cases of COPD, including:
- Education. Our specialists provide education on lifestyle changes that reduce the severity of your COPD symptoms, such as eating well and exercising safely.
- Smoking cessation support
- Prescription medications. For some patients with COPD, prescription medications such as inhalers make breathing easier.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation uses different physical and breathing exercises to improve lung function and monitor lung health.
- Oxygen therapy
- Bullectomy
- Bronchial thermoplasty: Bronchial thermoplasty is a new treatment that uses heat to reduce excessive muscle in the lungs, reducing airway restriction. The procedure is performed by inserting a flexible tube through the mouth and into the lungs, then delivering thermal energy in a precisely controlled manner.
- Lung volume reduction surgery. Removing damaged portions of the lungs through surgery can make it easier to breathe.
- Lung transplant. Reserved for extremely severe cases of COPD, only IU Health performs lung transplants in the state of Indiana.
Treatment
IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care experts provide leading-edge care while researching new treatments for pulmonary diseases such as COPD. IU Health’s comprehensive system of care employs inpatient and outpatient treatments such as medications, pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy, tailored to fit your lifestyle.
IU Health hospitals throughout the state include award-winning pulmonology services at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis. Your IU Health care team will strive to help you breathe better and continue to live an active lifestyle after a COPD diagnosis.
IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care physicians offer a full range of treatment options for mild to severe cases of COPD, including:
- Education. Our specialists provide education on lifestyle changes that reduce the severity of your COPD symptoms, such as eating well and exercising safely.
- Smoking cessation support
- Prescription medications. For some patients with COPD, prescription medications such as inhalers make breathing easier.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation uses different physical and breathing exercises to improve lung function and monitor lung health.
- Oxygen therapy
- Bullectomy
- Bronchial thermoplasty: Bronchial thermoplasty is a new treatment that uses heat to reduce excessive muscle in the lungs, reducing airway restriction. The procedure is performed by inserting a flexible tube through the mouth and into the lungs, then delivering thermal energy in a precisely controlled manner.
- Lung volume reduction surgery. Removing damaged portions of the lungs through surgery can make it easier to breathe.
- Lung transplant. Reserved for extremely severe cases of COPD, only IU Health performs lung transplants in the state of Indiana.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website features information on signs and symptoms of COPD, diagnosis and treatment options.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This U.S. government website hosts fact sheets, research and resources for education on COPD.
American Lung Association
This website provides in-depth information about COPD, lifestyle changes to help you live with COPD and a COPD management tool to guide you in discussions with your physician about treatment options.
Resources
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website features information on signs and symptoms of COPD, diagnosis and treatment options.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This U.S. government website hosts fact sheets, research and resources for education on COPD.
American Lung Association
This website provides in-depth information about COPD, lifestyle changes to help you live with COPD and a COPD management tool to guide you in discussions with your physician about treatment options.