etics and inheriting alpha- 1 antitrypsin. However, a person can control their own actions and the place where they live. For example, a person who smokes needs to stop immediately and if they live in an urban area they can move to a more rural area where the risk factors are not so great.Treatment: Bronchodilators are also used in treating patients with emphysema. This class of medication is most commonly used in an inhaled form. This can be either as a small canister that sprays a fine mist when pushed (known as an metered dose inhaler or MDI), or in a liquid form made into a mist to breathe by a machine at home. There are short and long-acting forms of both the inhaled and pill forms. Theophylline is a type of medication that can have multiple effects on your bodys ability to breathe better. It can cause your airways to relax and open further, thereby making it easier to breathe. It can also improve the diaphragms ability to contract. Also, theophylline can increase the clearance of mucus from your airways and help you clear excessive phlegm. However, there are side effects such as feeling nervous or tremors which is why your doctor may need to check the level. Metered dose inhalers or hand held inhalers are a convenient, effective, and safe way to deliver medications to the lungs. Because they are delivered locally and directly to the lungs, smaller doses of medication can be used. The beneficial effects of the medication can occur while the side effects are minimized. If the inhalers are not used correctly, the medication will not get to the right place. For carefully selected patients a special type of lung surgery may offer improvement in lung function. This surgery removes damaged areas of the lung so that any remaining normal lung can function better. While early data suggest there is benefit in a select group of patients, it is still a major surgical procedure and should not be taken lightly. Prospective patie...
