What is a common treatment for emphysema symptoms?

The treatment option involving sprays to open air passages is commonly used for managing symptoms of emphysema. These sprays typically contain bronchodilators, which are medications that relax and widen the airways, making it easier for the individual to breathe. In conditions like emphysema, where the air sacs in the lungs are damaged, ensuring that air passages remain open is crucial for facilitating airflow and improving respiratory function. This treatment can provide immediate relief from symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, allowing patients to engage in more activities and enhance their quality of life.

Other treatment options, although they may play a role in overall management, do not directly target the symptoms in the same way that bronchodilator sprays do. For example, antibiotics are often used for bacterial infections that can exacerbate respiratory symptoms, but they don’t address the underlying airway obstruction caused by emphysema. Heat therapy may help with relaxation and general comfort but does not impact lung function or airway passage. Surgery to remove damaged tissue is a more invasive option and is generally considered for severe cases or when other treatments are not effective.