Treatment
Emphysema

What can you do to improve your condition and prevent further complications?

The most important action you can take to preserve your healthy lung tissue and slow the progression of emphysema is to stop smoking. If you smoke, ask your doctor to recommend a smoking cessation program in your area or other methods to help you kick the habit.

If you work around polluted air or other irritants, think about switching jobs; this will also help save the healthy lung tissue you have.

There are several types of therapies that your doctor may recommend, including:

  • Inhaled medicines
    Inhaled medicines, like bronchodilators, are used to help open the airways and expel mucus. You will use an inhaler to draw the medicine into your lungs.

  • Ingested medicines or pills
    Pills, like diuretics or corticosteroids, may be prescribed in severe cases of emphysema, especially when asthma is also present. The pills are most often designed to reduce swelling in your airway. Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic if an infection is present in the lungs.

  • Oxygen therapy
    Oxygen therapy may help to make up for the lack of oxygen in the blood and may help improve some of the symptoms of emphysema. Your doctor may recommend that you use oxygen therapy occasionally, continually, or just at night.

  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
    Pulmonary rehabilitation is administered by a respiratory therapist. The therapist will work with you through a series of exercises to strength your lungs, improve your lung capacity, and get you breathing easier.

  • Lung transplantation
    During this procedure, surgeons transplant healthy lung tissue, either from a living donor or a cadaver, into the patient.

  • Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS)
    During LVRS most of the diseased parts of the lungs are removed, making the rest of the lung work more efficiently. It may eliminate the need for oxygen and improve breathing.

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What can you do to improve your condition and prevent further complications?

Because your lungs are damaged, you are much more susceptible to other diseases such as respiratory infections, coronary artery disease, pneumonia, stroke, or lung cancer. It is important to carefully monitor your condition. You may consider measuring and tracking your lung function at home using a peak flow meter. Respironics offers a variety of peak flow meters. Learn more.

  • Don’t smoke.
    If you already smoke, quit. Damage to the lungs can be reversed.

  • Exercise.
    It is important to get regular exercise at least three times a week to improve the condition of your lungs. Discuss exercise with your doctor before beginning any type of program. He or she may be able to recommend a program specifically suited to your needs.

  • Avoid exposure to pollutants or other irritants.
    You should wear a mask or respirator if you are using paint, varnish, or other products that emits strong fumes. You should also try to avoid secondhand smoke and dust. Because your lungs are more susceptible to respiratory infections, it is also important to avoid contact with people who have colds.

  • Eat a well-balanced diet and maintain your ideal body weight.
    If you are overweight, your lungs must work harder to support your body, and your breathing will become more difficult. If you are underweight, your diaphragm and chest wall muscles may not work as well as they should. Talk to your doctor to determine your ideal body weight. Your doctor may also recommend that you speak with a dietitian to help you improve your diet and meet your nutritional goals.

  • Get a flu vaccine every year and a pneumonia vaccine as needed.
    Emphysema makes your lungs more prone to infection, and these vaccines will help you prevent other breathing complications.

  • Wash your hands.
    To protect yourself from illness, wash your hands frequently.

  • Drink plenty of fluids.
    Drinking non-alcoholic fluids will help to thin mucus and make it easier to bring up so that your airway will remain clear.

  • Join a support group.
    Emphysema may leave you breathless and limit some of your activities. This may mean that you will have less social interaction, and it can lead to depression. It is important to share your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation. Joining a support group will help you to learn more about the disease and cope with the changes in your lifestyle.

  • Talk to your family and friends.
    Emphysema can make you anxious, and it is important that your family and friends understand your limitations so that they can adapt and help you.



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