Treatment for pulmonary emphysema is done with the use of daily medications to expand the airways, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, recommended by the pulmonologist, and it is also very important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, especially avoiding smoking, in addition to carrying out respiratory rehabilitation exercises.
Pulmonary emphysema, which is one of the forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a chronic respiratory disease that has no cure, and its treatment is important to reduce symptoms and reduce the worsening of the disease, in addition to improving health conditions and independence of the affected person. Know how to identify the symptoms of pulmonary emphysema.
In more serious cases, it may be necessary to use an oxygen mask, for a few hours or continuously, as well as surgery to reduce lung volume or even lung transplantation.
Main treatments
The main treatments for pulmonary emphysema are:
1. Bronchodilators
The use of medications that dilate the airways is the main form of treatment for emphysema, generally in the form of inhaled bombs. Understand what bronchodilators are and how to use them.
Some examples of bronchodilators are:
- Short-acting beta-2-agonists such as fenoterol, salbutamol, and terbutaline: they are used from the initial stages of the disease and should be inhaled whenever necessary or when symptoms worsen;
- Long-acting beta-2-agonists such as formoterol: most used in the intermediate phase of the disease, in which symptoms are more prolonged, generally used daily;
- Anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide: they are usually used together with beta-2-agonists, to enhance the dilating effect on the lungs;
- Methylxanthines, such as aminophylline and theophylline: they can be an alternative in more serious cases, improving respiratory capacity, however, as it causes many side effects, such as nausea, tremors and rapid heartbeat, it should be used with caution and with regular medical monitoring.
Medication pumps can now be composed of a combination of bronchodilators or in association with corticosteroids, to facilitate use and reduce the number of doses, as in the case of examples such as Seretide or Alenia, for example.
2. Glucocorticoids
Corticosteroid medications are mainly used in inhaled form. Continuous use of these medications, together with bronchodilators, can reduce the worsening of lung function and the risk of complications, and should be recommended by a pulmonologist.
They are usually used twice a day, and can be combined with bronchodilators in the same medicine. It is recommended to rinse your mouth after use to reduce the risk of oral infections, such as oral candidiasis.
Tablet corticosteroids are not recommended for continuous use, as they cause many side effects and little benefit in treating the disease, and should be used in cases of exacerbation of the disease with infection, and may bring benefits for recovery.
3. Pulmonary rehabilitation
It is a physiotherapy treatment program that includes exercises to strengthen the pectoral muscles and improve respiratory capacity, such as exercises for lung expansion, stretching of the breathing muscles, awareness of posture and correct breathing, providing a better ability to carry out physical activities. day-to-day. Find out more about this type of treatment.
Furthermore, it is recommended to carry out physical exercises, such as walks with professional supervision, after medical recommendation, to improve physical conditioning, increase breathing capacity and reduce symptoms.
4. Oxygen
The use of a nasal oxygen catheter is only indicated in the most serious cases, in which the lungs are no longer able to supply the body’s oxygenation on their own. They are recommended by the doctor, and may be needed for a few hours or throughout the day.
5. Vaccines
People with pulmonary emphysema are at greater risk of acquiring respiratory infections, which should be avoided, both because they become more serious in these patients and because they worsen emphysema during attacks.
Therefore, it is recommended that people with COPD receive a vaccine against Influenza annually, and against pneumococcal infections, avoiding cases of pneumonia and risks to life. Annual flu vaccinations are also recommended.
6. Other remedies
N-acetyl-cysteine can be indicated in many cases, due to its antioxidant and mucus-reducing properties.
Antibiotics may be necessary in the case of respiratory infections caused by bacteria, which is not uncommon in patients with COPD.
7. Surgery
Although it is rarer, in some more serious cases, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the most affected parts of the lung, allowing the healthy regions to expand better and function more adequately, however, this surgery is only performed in some very serious cases where the person can tolerate this procedure.
Lung transplantation may also be a possibility in specific cases, indicated by the doctor.
8. Quit smoking
Although it is not exactly a treatment, smoking is one of the main causes of pulmonary emphysema and, therefore, people who suffer from pulmonary emphysema should stop using cigarettes.
Even secondhand smoke or inhalation of industrial smoke, pollution, are a risk in the development of emphysema. Therefore, medications that help reduce or stop tobacco consumption can be included in the treatment, with one of the main treatment goals being to make the person with pulmonary emphysema stop smoking completely.
9. Diet
Food can also help a lot to improve breathing, since carbohydrates, fat and proteins, when consumed, consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide. And since people with pulmonary emphysema have difficulty with gas exchange in the lungs, food can also help facilitate this process.
One of the nutrients that consumes the most oxygen and releases carbon dioxide is carbohydrates. Therefore, it is recommended that people with emphysema reduce the amount of carbohydrates in their diet, especially simple sugar, present in foods such as cookies, candies, cakes and other sweets. Therefore, preference should be given to foods rich in fiber and good fats, which consume less oxygen, such as avocado, salmon, tuna, sardines or olive oil.
In any case, it is important to consult a nutritionist to create a well-adapted nutritional plan that meets all your needs. This is because people with respiratory diseases and who are treated with corticosteroids may also have reduced levels of calcium and vitamin D, which can be replaced with food.
Which doctor to consult?
Pulmonary emphysema must be treated by a pulmonologist, who is a doctor specializing in diseases that affect the lungs.
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In this way, the pulmonologist can request tests to diagnose pulmonary emphysema, such as spirometry, chest X-ray or computed tomography, for example, and indicate treatment in an adapted way according to the symptoms presented and the degree of development of the disease.
When to go back to the doctor
It is important to return to the pulmonologist or seek the nearest emergency room if symptoms worsen, such as extreme difficulty breathing, bluish fingers, purplish face and intense wheezing when breathing, to avoid serious complications, such as cardiorespiratory arrest.
Signs of worsening are more common in cases where treatment is not adequate or when the disease progresses and becomes very serious, which is more common in cases where the diagnosis took a long time to be made.
Is there a cure for pulmonary emphysema?
Emphysema has no cure and, therefore, symptoms do not disappear completely. However, if the treatment is carried out correctly, after a few days it is possible to notice a decrease in almost all symptoms, such as feeling short of breath, chest pain or coughing.
Furthermore, with treatment, there may be less difficulty in carrying out activities that have become very tiring, such as hiking.
Natural treatment option
A treatment for pulmonary emphysema that can be done at home is to learn a physiotherapy exercise called lip frenus and perform it several times a day, as a way of complementing the treatment advised by the doctor, never replacing it. To do this, simply inhale deeply and release the air through your mouth with your teeth half-open and your lips half-closed in order to move them with the air that comes out of your mouth.
This simple exercise strengthens the expiratory muscles and helps to completely eliminate air from the lungs, allowing more oxygen to enter with the next inhalation and, preferably, should be guided by a physiotherapist.
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