A local pulmonologist showed News 12 Connecticut new treatment tools Friday for a chronic lung condition usually associated with long-term smoking.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease signifies permanent damage in the airways. Dr. JD Sidana, of Stratford, specializes in critical care of lung problems.

He is hoping new inhalers help patients stick to their treatment plans. Unlike with old inhalers, COPD patients will only need to use the newly designed inhalers once a day.

Dr. Sidana says it is crucial that they get the medication needed to keep their airways open. He says when they breathe in the medicine, they need to hold it there for 10 seconds before exhaling.

He claims if patients are consistent with their medication and quit smoking, they will see life-changing results.

Sidana says each time a patient has a breathing crisis, more lung damage can occur, and hospital expenses add up. National health officials have an initiative underway to reduce the number of hospital visits for COPD patients.