Emphysema lesions in the elderly cannot be reversed, and treatment mainly includes general therapy, drug therapy such as bronchodilator salbutamol, and rehabilitation.
The purpose of emphysema treatment is to slow down the development of emphysema disease, improve respiratory function and improve the quality of life.
1. General treatment: for people without obvious symptoms, they should quit smoking and get rid of environmental pollution, and often ventilate. Those with severe hypoxemia can have long-term home oxygen therapy.
2. Drug therapy: Because of the large individual differences, the medication should be chosen according to the individual situation. Commonly used drugs include bronchodilators such as salbutamol, salmeterol, ipratropium bromide, etc., inhaled hormones such as budesonide, beclomethasone, etc., and expectorants such as aminoglutethimide hydrochloride.
3. Rehabilitation therapy: pulmonary rehabilitation can improve the patient’s mobility and quality of life. It includes respiratory physiological treatment, muscle exercise, mental treatment and other measures to exercise properly and enhance physical fitness.
Elderly people with emphysema should undergo standardized treatment as early as possible to reduce the adverse effects of the disease.