Breathe Easier with New Treatment for COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that affects millions of Americans and can significantly impact breathing, activity level, and overall quality of life. While there is no cure, advances in treatment—along with early diagnosis and smoking cessation—are helping many patients breathe easier and stay active longer.

COPD affects approximately 6% of the U.S. population, and smoking remains the leading cause.

“Smoking causes more than 70% of COPD cases in the United States,” says Jaime Seawell, MD, pulmonologist at Carolina Pulmonary. “We also see higher rates of COPD in adults over 75, people living in rural areas, and patients who continue to smoke.”

Physicians diagnose COPD through pulmonary function testing, which measures how well the lungs move air in and out. Over time, COPD causes the lungs to lose elasticity, leading to air trapping and difficulty exhaling. COPD differs from emphysema, a related condition in which the small air sacs in the lungs break down, reducing oxygen exchange.

Although COPD is not curable, treatment focuses on slowing disease progression, reducing symptoms, and preventing flare-ups.

“Smoking cessation is the single most important step patients can take to prevent further lung damage and improve survival,” Dr. Seawell emphasizes.

Inhaler therapies are commonly prescribed to improve airflow and help prevent exacerbations—periods when symptoms suddenly worsen. These exacerbations often include wheezing, productive cough, and increasing shortness of breath.

“Every COPD exacerbation can lead to a further decline in lung function, which is why prevention is so critical,” says Dr. Seawell. “When exacerbations do occur, they are typically treated with systemic steroids.”

For some patients with advanced COPD who continue to have symptoms despite optimal medical therapy, a minimally invasive procedure called bronchial valve placement may be an option.

“Bronchial valves are one-way valves placed into specific airways to deflate severely damaged portions of the lung,” Dr. Seawell explains. “This allows healthier areas of the lung to expand and function more efficiently.”

By reducing lung hyperinflation, bronchial valves can improve oxygen exchange and ease the work of breathing.

“A bronchoscope is inserted through a breathing tube to visualize the airways,” says Dr. Seawell. “Using this scope, we carefully place the one-way valves in targeted areas of the lung.”

The procedure does not involve incisions and is typically performed entirely through the airways.

Not all COPD patients qualify for bronchial valve placement. Physicians use a detailed, multi-step evaluation to determine if someone is a candidate.

“We start with CT chest imaging to confirm emphysema and pulmonary function testing to measure obstruction and hyperinflation,” Dr. Seawell says. “We use advanced imaging tools, such as the StratX imaging system, to ensure the valves will be beneficial and consider other medical conditions to be sure patients can safely undergo the procedure. Patients must also have stopped smoking.”

“Bronchial valve placement can improve breathlessness, walking distance, exercise capacity, and overall lung function,” says Dr. Seawell. “These improvements can make a meaningful difference in daily life.” While research is ongoing, early data on bronchial valve implants is encouraging.

Dr. Seawell stresses that the foundation of COPD care remains the same. “Smoking cessation is the most important treatment for COPD,” she says. “For patients who continue to struggle despite medical therapy, bronchial valves can significantly improve quality of life if they qualify.”

Patients with persistent COPD symptoms should talk with their primary care provider about whether a referral to a pulmonologist is appropriate to explore advanced treatment options. Learn more about bronchial valve implants here. 


Jaime A. Seawell, MD, Carolina Pulmonary