Contemporary management of the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COPD is a common and treatable disease. The prevention of COPD is as least as important as its treatment. It is the physician's responsibility to detect the presence of airways disease and to stabilize or reverse any acute pulmonary event. Through patient education, drug treatment, and rehabilitation, the physician can halt the progression of disease, restore the patient's functional capacity, and attain the highest quality of life.