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Treatment Options for Emphysema

Emphysema is a condition that has no cure. Like chronic bronchitis, it is grouped under chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) [1]. Diseases under this group are characterized by progressive destruction of the lungs. Nonetheless, there are a number of treatment options to manage it while it lasts.

What is Emphysema?

This condition is characterized by a continuous deterioration of the air sacs in your lungs. The patient would experience difficulty in breathing because emphysema [2] reduces the surface area of your lungs. This condition destroys the alveoli and reduces the elasticity of the lungs as time passes. The condition is common in smokers or people who inhale irritants [3] frequently.

Unfortunately, emphysema is an irreversible condition. There are only treatment options to reduce the symptoms and reduce the progression of damage to the lungs. These treatment options include: