There’s little as frightening and frustrating as the feeling of not getting enough air. At INTEGRIS Health, we will do everything in our power to get you breathing easier.
Emphysema is a disease that develops gradually, slowly making it harder and hard to breathe and get enough oxygen. There’s little as frightening and frustrating as the feeling of not getting enough air, and this shortness of breath, can turn normal activities into major obstacles for people with emphysema.
It usually begins with an obstruction of your airflow, caused by smoking, air pollution, irritating fumes or contaminants. Over time, the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs become narrowed, collapsed, stretched, overinflated or destroyed.
Although we can’t reverse the damage that’s been done, At INTEGRIS Health we will do everything in our power to help you breathe easier. Our multi-discipline team will help in any way they can – from rehabilitation and lifestyle changes to medication, surgery and supplemental oxygen. We’re with you, every step of the way.
The following are the most common symptoms for pulmonary emphysema. However, you may experience symptoms differently – and these symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems, so it’s always best to talk with your doctor. Pulmonary emphysema symptoms include:
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, the doctor may request the following to diagnosis pulmonary emphysema:
Specific treatment for pulmonary emphysema will be determined by your doctor based on your age, overall health, medical history, the extent of the disease and your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies. Of course, your personal opinions and preferences will also be taken into consideration. Treatments may include:
Lifestyle Changes
Rehabilitation
Medications
Surgery
Supplemental Oxygen: Some patients also require supplemental oxygen delivered through nasal prongs or a mask if breathing becomes difficult.
Our pulmonary rehabilitation programs at INTEGRIS help you by creating individualized plans and education, so you can do more things you enjoy. Support services include:
