Oxygen inhalation can relieve some of the symptoms of emphysema in the elderly. Emphysema is a common respiratory disease with a long course and the main symptoms are chronic cough, sputum, wheezing, shortness of breath and dyspnea. Oxygen inhalation can relieve shortness of breath and dyspnea in emphysema in the elderly, regardless of whether it is an acute exacerbation or a stabilized phase. Long-term home oxygen therapy in the stabilized stage can improve patients’ quality of life and survival rate. In addition to oxygen, patients with emphysema should quit smoking, improve their living or working environment to avoid inhaling harmful gases, and selectively use other medications according to their symptoms, signs, and lung function, including bronchodilators such as salbutamol or aminophylline, cough suppressants and phlegm relievers such as aminoglutethimide or compound licorice combinations, and so on. For emphysema in the elderly, it is recommended to visit the Department of Respiratory Medicine of a regular hospital and develop a treatment plan after a comprehensive assessment by a specialist.