Popular Emphysema Treatment Options

E mphysema falls in the group of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. This health condition causes the air sacs in people’s lungs to burst, which subsequently reduces the surface area of the lungs. No cure for this lethal condition has been discovered. Available emphysema treatment options just relieve pain and prevent further lung damage. Here are the options. Inhalants Use Medical experts recommend the use of bronchodilators. These emphysema medications are effective at relaxing bronchiolar muscles and enhancing airflow. They come as inhalers in powdered and metered dose form. Patients requiring quick relief can use the inhalants for a short-term or long-term on a daily basis. Doctors may also prescribe steroids that come in the shape of an inhaler to treat emphysema. Oral Treatments Physicians may also prescribe oral steroids, in particular, prednisone to be used together with an inhaler. Other popular emphysema medications are antibiotics. They work by preventing infections that can make the condition difficult to manage. Oxygen Supplementation Another attractive treatment for emphysema is supplementation of Oxygen. As the condition becomes more severe, the requirement for Oxygen increases. Some patients will need Oxygen all the time. Surgery and Rehabilitation Some people cannot only get rest when they go through surgery. The objective of such an operation is to reduce the symptoms. Due to health risks, however, older adults usually do not benefit from this emphysema treatment method. Only those who have lung damage that is centralized on the upper lobes of the lungs have a high probability of experiencing the remedy that surgery offers. When surgery cannot be efficient, doctors typically recommend pulmonary rehabilitation. They help patients to undertake breathing exercises and interact with other people who have the same condition during the exercises. The rationale behind this treatment method is to help the person develop confidence and enhance their overall wellbeing. Conclusion Using inhalants, oral medications, oxygen supplementation, and surgery and rehabilitation are very popular emphysema treatment alternatives. Others are alternative therapies and long-term outlook. They focus on pain relief, supplementation of oxygen, and prevention of further infections. [Photo: flickr.com]