Emphysema Treatment

Emphysema is known to be the most common form of lung disease in smokers. It can be attributed as a stage that occurs in a condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A person hit by this condition experiences difficulty in exhalation. Bronchioles are the smallest air passages which have air sacs (clustered like a bunch of grapes) located at their end. When these sacs gradually face destruction, it is then that the condition of emphysema is said to have taken place. Now, over time, as this condition progresses further, the air sacs take on the form of large irregular pockets, with something like gaping holes in the inner walls. This in turn reduces the number of air sacs, thus limiting the amount of oxygen that enters the lungs, to reach the bloodstream. When the air sacs become enlarged and are on the verge of collapsing, the condition is termed as 'bullous emphysema'. Also, there are some small airways that lead to the air sacs. These airways are held open with the help of elastic fibers, which are also destroyed when emphysema sets in. As a result, when the affected person breathes out, these fibers collapse thus, restricting the air in the lungs from escaping.

How is Emphysema Treated

As mentioned, the treatment measures that are taken up to deal with emphysema may only help in slowing down the progress of the disease, and the person feel better and stay active. For smokers, the most important treatment is to shun smoking. This is the only way to help the lungs from getting worse. For some people, the prospect to quit smoking cold turkey does not come easy, and so they may require a comprehensive smoking cessation plan.

Other than quitting smoking, the treatment plan also involves the use of certain drugs to manage the symptoms and help the sufferer to feel better. One type of these drugs are bronchodilators, which help in treating shortness of breath and coughing. Then there are corticosteroid drugs which are inhaled in order to tackle the symptoms related to asthma and bronchitis. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) tends to aggravate the symptoms of emphysema in most people. So, to deal with this trigger, patients may be put on certain medications and lifestyle changes as well.

Relief may also be found by using supplemental oxygen at home. In some cases, people may even require it 24 hours a day. Complications like bacterial infection may also arise in people suffering from emphysema, and to deal with it, its treatment may also includes the use of antibiotics.

One important aspect of the treatment of emphysema is about rehabilitation program. Here, the affected person is provided with various training so that he/she can improve his/her quality of life.

Some doctors may also recommend patients to get an influenza (flu) shot annually and a pneumonia shot every five years. When conventional treatment methods do little, patients go for surgery. Here, the surgeons remove the diseased tissues of the lungs, to help the organ work more effectively. When all treatment plans fail to respond, which happens in severe cases, lung transplant may be the only viable option.

What Causes Emphysema and What are Its Symptoms?

Several researches have advocated the fact that smoking happens to be the most common cause of emphysema. The presence of about 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke is just more than enough to cause a condition such as this. If we leave aside the risk of smoking, then there is a certain kind of protein deficiency which is responsible for causing the same disease, in some people. This protein, known as AAt, serves to set up a protective barrier for the elastic structures of the lungs. Some people lack this vital protein due to inheritance and are hit by emphysema. People with a deficiency of AAt can develop emphysema in their 30 or 40s, if they start smoking.

Characteristic emphysema symptoms and signs include tightness in the chest, shortness of breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. Wheezing, a long-lasting cough, and reduced capacity for physical activity are also some of the symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lungs which have been affected by emphysema. The only natural treatment is to shun smoking, and inculcate healthy food and regular exercises in one's lifestyle. Other alternative treatment, which may accompany the main treatment, include avoiding respiratory irritants, drinking plenty of nonalcoholic fluids every day and avoiding respiratory infections. And as far as prevention is concerned, simply shun the no-good habit of smoking.