Prevention:

• DON’T SMOKE The very best way to prevent Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, particularly emphysema, is to avoid smoking or being around cigarette smoke.  Even if you already smoke, quitting will get your lungs back in shape and, if the disease has already begun, will slow its progression

• Keep your immune system healthy by keeping your body healthy.  Maintaining a nutritious diet, making sure to get enough sleep and exercising regularly will build up your resistance to infections. 

• Avoid prolonged contact with air pollution, chemical fumes or industrial dust.  Weather reports will often have air quality information- when the levels are unhealthy, avoid going out.

Treatment: 

Treatments for emphysema and COPD center on attempts at preventing the disease from getting worse, and making the patient’s life more comfortable. 

Here are some of the methods that a doctor may try:

• Your doctor will definitely tell you to STOP SMOKING. Continuing to smoke once you have been diagnosed with emphysema or COPD will only accelerate the progression of this disease. 

• He or she may prescribe Bronchodilator drugs which are used to relax and open air passageways in the lungs.

• He or she may recommend that you get vaccinated regularly for the Flu and pneumococcal pneumonia.

• If you are one of the rare cases of emphysema which is caused by an inherited protein deficiency, you may be given an Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor.

• Steroids may be used during moments of severe attacks (called “acute exacerbations”).

• There is a surgical procedure, called “lung volume reduction surgery,” available in which the damaged parts of the lung are removed completely to allow the rest of the lung to work more efficiently.  This is not a safe option in many cases, however.

• A lung transplant may be an option in some cases.

Here are some of the things that a person can do for him/herself. 

• At the first sign of a cold, flu or other respiratory infection, go see your doctor.  These types of illnesses can make the symptoms of emphysema much worse and can even be dangerous.

• Keep exercising in order to strengthen your body’s stamina and immune system.

• Learn breathing exercises in order to condition the muscles used in the respiratory process.