It is thought that around 100,000 people in the United States have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a condition which often leads to emphysema. Treatment of Emphysema Through early diagnosis, symptomatic treatment, and patient education, those who suffer from emphysema may lead fuller more active lives. The most important though oftentimes most difficult element in treating emphysema is lifestyle modification. Also, regular exercise, such as water aerobics, may lead to an improvement in overall strength and endurance. Otherwise, emphysema is treated with drugs that combat specific disease complications.
Bronchodilators act to enlarge constricted airways and ease the work of breathing.
Other bronchodilators taken in pill form have longer lasting effects but are not generally useful in treating emphysema. Corticosteroids, drugs that reduce airway inflammation, are most often inhaled early in an attack to lessen the degree of airway obstruction over the next day. Few side effects are associated with this use of corticosteroids. Additionally, emphysema may require patients to use supplemental oxygen. Some may need oxygen therapy only during activities or sleep while others may need 24-hour oxygen.