Inova Lung Services — Programs and Services — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Program

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Program

Inova offers comprehensive care for COPD patients. Our Inova affiliated general pulmonologists can confirm the diagnosis, assess disease severity and make sure you are on optimal treatment, including: assessment of respiratory medications, the need for oxygen, and referral to pulmonary rehab for those with exercise limitations. Our team can also help with smoking cessation, if needed. We are equipped to manage patients who have been newly diagnosed, recently discharged from the hospital or those who have advanced COPD. Our goal is to reduce symptoms of shortness of breath and anxiety, improve exercise tolerance, educate patients about their disease and help patients avoid readmission to the hospital. For patients with very severe COPD, Inova has advanced treatments including Zephyr endobronchial valves, lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplantation.

About COPD

COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is often due to smoking but can be caused by other factors including environmental exposures, a genetic abnormality called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency or even chronic severe asthma. It is characterized by incompletely reversible airflow obstruction despite treatment with bronchodilators. Some of the dominant features include chronic bronchitis, asthmatic bronchospasm and emphysema. Patients often have shortness of breath with exertion, a chronic cough and frequent bouts of bronchitis.

Our Accreditation

Inova is recognized as an Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Clinical Resource Center (CRC) by the Alpha-1 Foundation, for patients with this hereditary form of COPD. Learn more about this accreditation.

Contact Us

For more information contact Nancy Collar at 703-776-4712.