This is one of the newly recognized areas of rehabilitation. In a pulmonary rehabilitation program patients can be treated either in an inpatient or outpatient setting. The goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to return patients to the highest functional level possible within the limits of their disease. Maintain Overall Good Health Habits. Adequate sleep and proper nutrition along with regular exercise within your level of tolerance can help maintain stamina and resist infections that often make emphysema symptoms worsen.
Many physicians recommend influenza and pneumonia vaccines for patients with emphysema.
For some types of patients with emphysema a newer type of surgery called lung reduction surgery may lead to improvement in lung function. The surgery involves the removal of diseased and damaged regions of the lungs so that the normal tissue can function better. Since this procedure is relatively new, researchers are still gathering data about which patients benefit the most from lung reduction surgery. Many insurers, including Medicare do not yet pay for this procedure. Clinical trials in lung reduction surgery are ongoing.