Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment in India

James Roy, a 68-year-old retired shipyard...

James Roy, a 68-year-old retired shipyard welder from Maine, spent 40 years working in dusty, poorly ventilated spaces. For the past decade, he's noticed a gradual decline in his ability to do simple tasks. His morning 'smoker's cough' became a constant, productive hack. Walking his dog to the mailbox left him gasping. He felt a deep shame, blaming himself for not quitting his 2-pack-a-day habit sooner. His primary care doctor, Dr. Evans, diagnosed him with moderate COPD after spirometry showed significant airflow obstruction. Dr. Evans recommended a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program. James was skeptical but desperate. The program involved education, nutritional counseling, and supervised exercise. Learning to use his new rescue and maintenance inhalers was frustrating. The first few sessions of slow walking on a treadmill were humbling. But over 8 weeks, something shifted. He learned breathing techniques like pursed-lip breathing, which gave him control during flare-ups. His stamina improved. He could walk the full block without stopping. The emotional weight of constant breathlessness began to lift. While his lungs are permanently damaged, James now feels empowered, not defeated. He's reconnected with his woodworking hobby in short bursts, and the profound relief of being able to breathe more easily has replaced his shame with cautious optimism.