Emphysema

There is no treatment that will reverse emphysema. The alveoli cannot be healed to restore normal respiration. Some patients may need to take medications to keep the bronchi as open as possible. Also, many emphysema patients require oxygen infusion to provide sufficient oxygen for the body functions. Emphysema patients are advised to avoid people who have colds or pneumonia or other contagious diseases. Also, the emphysema patient should be careful to wrap his face with a scarf when he goes out into cold air. The cold air will constrict the bronchi even more and increase the effort required to breathe. The patient should also avoid dusty areas, paint fumes, automobile exhaust, and other lung irritants. Above all, when the early symptoms of emphysema appear, the individual should stop smoking. This will prevent further lung damage and ease the burden of respiration. Continued cigarette smoking will worsen the condition and lead to an earlier death.

Special breathing techniques and respiratory exercises can strengthen the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and chest muscles to make breathing easier. Oxygen tanks can be installed in the home and small, portable oxygen tanks can be obtained for travel. These may be so small that they can hang on the belt, or if larger supplies are needed, small packs containing tanks can be worn on the back or pushed in a cart.

Individuals who have severe emphysema may be helped by a lung transplant. Until recently efforts to transplant only the lungs were met with little success. Now, however, improvement in medications and technology allow successful lung transplants.

Individuals who have a genetic lack of alpha-1-antitrypsin may benefit from having the enzyme infused into the lungs. This is an experimental procedure now being done that is showing promising results. It is necessary that the infusion be started in the early stages of the disease. Repeated infusions will be needed during the pa tient's lifetime.