Smoking cessation is the most important medical intervention. Refer patients with suspected PHX to a pulmonary disease specialist. Exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation are encouraged. These activities may improve the patient's functional status, even if there is no effect on disease progression. Neither corticosteroids nor cytotoxic agents are useful treatments.
Supportive therapy is recommended.
Superimposed respiratory infections such as pneumonia may require inpatient treatment. Obtain pulmonary function testing and radiographic study every 6-12 months. Assess gas exchange via arterial blood gas or pulse oximetry. Patients should be vaccinated annually for influenza and should also receive the pneumococcal vaccine. PHX is associated with an increased risk of malignancy, including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.