A doctor can diagnose emphysema simply by tapping on your chest and listening with a stethoscope. If the tapping sounds hollow, the lungs’ air sacs are probably enlarged or ruptured. This is the telltale sign of emphysema. To confirm diagnosis, the doctor will probably take a chest X-ray to gauge the extent of your lung damage. Pulmonary function tests can also measure the extent of your lung damage.
No treatment can restore your lungs to a healthy state. However, you can keep your emphysema from getting worse: stop smoking immediately.
Lung volume reduction surgery is a procedure in which the most severely diseased portions of the lungs are removed to allow the remaining lung and muscles to work better. Short-term results have been promising. Long-term studies are continuing.
Emphysema patients should be monitored by a health professional. However, by making lifestyle changes and learning breathing techniques, they can make themselves more comfortable. There are also a number of medications used to treat the symptoms related to emphysema.
