Emphysema

Signature Health Services can help with the management and treatment of Emphysema.

Emphysema and how we care for it

What is emphysema?

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emphysema destroys the alveoli (also called air sacs) in the lungs. In a normal breathing process, the alveoli in the lungs fill up with air and expand similar to a balloon. People with emphysema have damaged air sacs losing their shape and elasticity which causes them to be larger, floppier air sacs. This results in difficulty for the lungs to function and increases the difficulty of breathing.

What are the symptoms of emphysema?

Symptoms of emphysema include frequent coughing or wheezing, coughing large amounts of mucus, shortness of breath, whistling sounds when breathing, and chest soreness.

Treatment for emphysema

Emphysema does not have a cure, but treatments like medication, vaccines, oxygen therapies, pulmonary rehabilitation, and surgeries like lung transplants can help improve symptoms or slow down the progress of the disease. Also, improving your lifestyle by quitting smoking can be the most important step towards treating and preventing emphysema.

How can signature help a patient with emphysema?

Signature Health Services has professional nurses that can closely monitor patients for compliance with treatment plans, administer blood draws, deliver IV infusions, and assist with education about medications and the disease or condition process.

For more information on how Signature Health Services can help with your healthcare needs, please call 1 (800) 277-8291 (option 1) or email information@signaturehealthservices.net.