| Emphysema |
| How Is Emphysema Treated? |
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There is no cure for emphysema. The goal of treatment
is to slow down the development of disabling symptoms. The most
important step to take is to stop smoking. Treatments for emphysema
caused by smoking include medication, breathing retraining, and
possibly surgery. |
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People with inherited
emphysema due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can receive alpha
1-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI), which slows lung tissue destruction.
This medication is administered weekly through an intravenous
(IV) infusion. In an IV, the medication will drip from a plastic
bag into a narrow tube and through a needle inserted in a vein
in your arm so that it can reach your bloodstream. It usually
takes about 30 minutes for the medication to be administered.
An IV may be uncomfortable
when the needle is inserted, but the administration of the medication
will not be painful. Side effects of this treatment are rare
and, if they do occur, are mild. They include fever, light-headedness,
dizziness, and flu-like symptoms.
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| Breathing Retraining |
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Some patients
with emphysema develop breathing patterns which may make the
feeling of breathlessness worse. While it is natural and effective
for a person with normal lungs to breathe rapidly when short
of breath, it is counterproductive in emphysema. This is because
emphysematous lungs, lacking the normal elasticity which is so
important in exhalation, require much longer amounts of time
to empty. Rapid breathing does not allow enough time for emphysematous
lungs to empty.
Breathing retraining consists
of a rapid inspiration (a count of one or two) followed by slow
exhalation (count of six or more). Learning how to slowly exhale
can be made easier by narrowing the lips to a small hole (pursed
lip breathing). Following this slow exhalation, the next breath
is much larger (since the lungs have emptied much more completely
with the slow exhalation) and more oxygen in brought into the
lungs.
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| The Value of Exercise |
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Doctors
now recognize that physical activity, such as a progressive walking programme, may be beneficial for people with emphysema. While
exercise doesn't improve lung capacity, it does help the body
from becoming weak from reduced use. Also, unused muscles use
available oxygen less efficiently. However, the beneficial effects
of exercise are quickly lost if a person stops exercising.
Pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are designed to help improve
breathing in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
and other lung problems. Such programmes combine breathing
retraining with carefully monitored exercise. |
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Peter Scott - Team Leader
