![]() ![]() If this is still not enough, a doctor may recommend that a person uses an oxygen tank. An oxygen concentrator is a machine that takes in air and concentrates the oxygen in it before delivering it to the person via a cannula or mask. Some people may need to use a device to supplement the amount of oxygen they are getting into their body. In some cases, people may need to take an inhaled medicine containing both a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid. They can be used for short-term relief but are also suitable for daily use as a long-term management option. These medicines relax the bronchial muscles to dilate the airways and improve airflow in the lungs. They help prevent acute flares and make it easier to breathe.Ī doctor may also prescribe bronchodilators. These steroids work to relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation in the lungs. Inhaled medicinesĭoctors may prescribe corticosteroids in an inhaler. Anyone needing treatment should discuss these options with a doctor. Medical treatments vary based on the severity of the case but can include a few different options. Controlling the symptoms and preventing acute flares is essential in the treatment of emphysema. These flares may be life-threatening and require hospitalization for treatment. Treatment instead focuses on managing the symptoms as best as possible and slowing the progression of the disease.Īcute flares can cause the progression of emphysema to accelerate over time. It is not currently possible to reverse the damage that centrilobular emphysema does to the lung tissue. Share on Pinterest A doctor may prescribe bronchodilators or corticosteroid inhalers to manage the symptoms of centrilobular emphysema. Another option is an imaging test such as an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest to check for other complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as lung enlargement, enlarged arteries, or other physical changes.Ī proper diagnosis is essential to create an effective treatment plan for each individual. A doctor may order a pulse oximetry test, where a clip is attached to the ear or finger to pick up the level of oxygen in the blood. The amount of oxygen in the blood can indicate the efficiency of the lungs. This is a way of measuring lung capacity and involves a person sitting or standing in an airtight box and breathing through a mouthpiece to measure the amount of air inside the lungs. To check the lung function, a doctor may use a spirometer, which is a device that measures how much air a person can push out of their lungs and at what speed. Others may have moderate or severe symptoms that occur more often and are accompanied by poorer lung function.Ī doctor will use a variety of tests to help them make their diagnosis. Some people may retain good lung function and have only very mild, infrequent symptoms. The severity of emphysema varies from person to person. To accurately diagnose centrilobular emphysema, doctors will often begin by looking at the progression of the disease to date. ![]()
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