Which specialist treats COPD?

A respiratory specialist assesses breathing symptoms, reviews smoking or inhalation exposure, checks lung function, and helps tailor inhalers and other treatment. A GP may coordinate care between appointments, renew appropriate medicines, and manage related health problems. A respiratory therapist, nurse, or rehabilitation professional may teach breathing techniques, inhaler use, activity planning, and ways to reduce flare-up triggers. COPD may present with ongoing cough, phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath; these symptoms do not by themselves establish the diagnosis.

Book a GP consultation if symptoms are new, persistent, or changing. Take a list of medicines, inhalers, allergies, previous chest conditions, and relevant work or household exposures. Mention how symptoms affect walking, sleep, and daily tasks. The clinician may examine you and arrange lung-function testing or referral to a respiratory physician. Use inhalers exactly as prescribed and ask for a demonstration if the technique feels uncertain. Support for nicotine dependence can be part of the plan.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, inability to speak in full sentences, or chest pain. A marked change in usual sputum or breathing also warrants prompt clinical advice, especially if accompanied by fever or unusual weakness.

Ask whether a respiratory referral or lung-function test is appropriate, how to recognise a flare-up, and which inhaler is for regular control versus quick relief. Ask the clinician to check your inhaler technique and explain when emergency assessment is needed.