Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of COPD

COPD is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide; its economic and social burdens are substantial and increasing. Several systematic reviews have shown the therapeutic potential of herbal medicine for COPD.

Pulmonary function is the essential criteria for the diagnosis of COPD according to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) Guidelines. Measures of pulmonary function include: FEV1, FEV%, FVC, and FEV1/FVC.

However, pooled studies revealed that herbal medicine as an adjunct therapy had no advantage in the improvement of pulmonary function. Interestingly, the pooled arterial blood gas test showed an improvement of PaO2 and PaCO2 in COPD patients, but it remains inconclusive due to the heterogeneity among studies.

How Chinese Herbal Medicine improves QoL and clinical symptoms of COPD patients remain largely unexplored. However, from what we do know, Chinese herbs, when used to treat COPD, do the following:

1. Anti-inflammation
2. Immuno-regulation
3. Sedation
4. bronchodilation

Reference:

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