General Nursing©

EMPHYSEMA

What you can do:

• Consult a doctor if you suspect emphysema.
• If you smoke, stop immediately. Quitting will not reverse the damage already done by emphysema, but it will slow or stop the disease's progression.
• If overweight reduce weight.
• Stay away from dusty and polluted areas.
• Avoid physical exertion.

What your doctor can do for you:

• Rule out other causes of breathing difficulty.
• Prescribed bronchodilators (medicines that widens the air passages), corticosteroids, vaccines (H. influenza/ Pneumococcal) and other appropriate medicines.
• Promptly treat respiratory infections.
• Treat other complications. Teach you to manage chronic breathing difficulty; prescribe oxygen therapy.
• Admit you into hospital for treatment.
• Refer to pulmonary rehabilitation, as needed.

Prevention tips:

• Quit smoking immediately.
• Follow safety instructions, wear the required safety gear when working in a hazardous environment (e.g., presence of chemical fumes).
• Avoid heavy air pollution

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