Men's Health News and Events - Baptist Health System

Finally, an effective solution for chronic acid reflux!

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you have heartburn twice a week or more, you may have acid reflux disease,also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Heartburn is the most common symptom, but you may also experience regurgitation, hoarseness, sore throat, pain or discomfort in the chest, burning in the mouth or throat, bloating, gum disease and other symptoms.

Find out if you are a candidate for the FIRST Incisionless Solution for Chronic Acid Reflux at a FREE educational seminar on Transoral Fundiplication or TIF.

		When: Time: Location:	Monthly Educational Session - April 17, May 15, June 19 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. North Central Baptist Hospital 520 Madison Oak Drive Cafeteria, Dining Room 1 San Antonio, Texas 78258 Maps & Directions
		When: Time: Location:

For more information or to reserve your seat, call 297-7005.

Physician Disclaimer

New Hi-Tech "Mesh" Helps Hernia Patients Get Back on Their Feet Fast

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Watch the News Coverage

Hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the U.S. Many people put off the surgery because of the recovery time. A new surgical mesh being used at the Baptist Hernia Center can be implanted with only a few small incisions and is drastically shortening recovery time.

A hernia is an opening in the muscles of the abdomen. They can cause bulging and pain. 53-year-old Dr. Landon Wellford suffered a hernia while trying to keep up with his 17-year-old son in the weight room. "I told him, 'move over. I'll show you how it's done,'" says Wellford. "But when I went to push up the weight. oh my, I felt the hernia pop just like that."

Wellford went to Mike Albrecht, M.D. at the Baptist Hernia Center to have his hernia fixed. "I'm a cardiologist, so I know where to go for the best," says Wellford.

Albrecht used a new kind of mesh called PhysioMesh to patch the problem. It's made out of a thin material that mimics the body's natural tissue and allows the lining of the abdomen to actually grow into it. "The mesh covers the hole and reinforces the area," says Albrecht.

Wellford had the outpatient procedure on a Friday and was back at work the following Monday, and says he only took three Tylenol for pain. Normal recovery for hernia surgery can be up to six weeks. The surgeons at the Baptist Hernia Center aim to have their patients back to normal activities in only two weeks.

For more information on The Baptist Hernia Center, located at Northeast Baptist Hospital, 8811 Village Dr., call 297-7005.

Attend a Diabetes Self-Management Course

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Baptist Health System offers diabetes self-management training classes at each of their 5�hospital locations in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association. The program is a two-day, 10-hour course designed to help patients take control of their diabetes.

The goal of the program is to help each individual with diabetes make the lifestyle changes necessary to improve diabetes control and preserve future health.�The American Diabetes Association recognizes this educational service as meeting national standards.

The course is free, but a doctor's prescription is required. Download this form �to get your Doctor's diagnosis and referral.�

Educational topics include:

What is Diabetes?
Eating Well with Diabetes
Exercise
Medication for Diabetes
Blood Glucose Monitoring
Possible complications
Coping and Stress
Lifestyle Change

For details about class times, locations, �and registration please call the Baptist Health System Referral and Information Center at 297-7005.

Use this assessment tool to help you determine your risk of type 2 diabetes.

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Attention Cancer Patients, Need A Ride?

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

If you are a cancer patient and need transportation to your cancer related appointments in Bexar County, the American Cancer Society can provide transportation.

Please call 1-877-227-1618.

"Starting Now" Stroke Education Program

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Are you or a family member at risk of having a stroke or currently recovering from a stroke? "Starting Now" is a free stroke education program offered by Baptist Health System in San Antonio. Stroke education classes for patients and caregivers, are just a few of the services offered for patients recovering from stroke through the Brain and Stroke Network at Baptist Health System.

Session 1 - Mondays
Understanding the Risk Factors, Type and Prevention of Strokes

Session 2 - Tuesdays
Understanding the Emotional and Social Changes After a Stroke

Session 3 - Wednesdays
How Stroke Affects Communication, Cognition and Swallowing

Session 4 - Thursdays
How Stroke Affects Mobility and Daily Living

When:

Time:

Location:

Weekly

3 p.m.�

St. Luke's Baptist Hospital
Rehabilitation Dining Room (3rd floor)�
7930 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Maps & Directions

If you would like to register for a session please call Gayla at (210) 297-5175. Download the schedule.

Stroke Education at Baptist Medical Center
If you are interested in attending a class at Baptist Medical Center in downtown San Antonio�call (210) 297-8191 and select option 2 for class information at Baptist Medical Center.

Shiftworking Parents: How to Stay Connected to Your Kids

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

by Tina Coleman

It's hard enough for parents who work 9 to 5 to stay connected with their kids. Imagine working the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. For many parents, it means missing sporting events, parent-teacher conferences, and family activities, not to mention dinnertime and bedtime.

The good news is that many families make it work. It's all a matter of maintaining a positive outlook, says Janie O'Connor, a specialist in shiftwork education and president of http://shiftworker.com/ .

Accepting Your Situation

Making it work involves three things:
Accepting that you and/or your spouse work a nontraditional schedule
Communicating that to your children
Working within that framework to recognize and take advantage of the opportunities that nontraditional schedules offer

That may mean eating birthday cake for breakfast or celebrating Thanksgiving on a Tuesday, but valuing family time, whenever it happens, will relieve a lot of shiftwork-related stress.

Using Good Communication and Organization
Shiftworking parents who make it work, says O'Connor, invariably credit their success to two things:

Making a concerted effort to stay in touch with their kids while they're growing up
Being organized and detail-oriented, arranging their schedules each week to make sure that all the bases are covered

Reducing Guilt and Stress

Many shiftworking parents assume a lot of guilt , O'Connor says. The guiltier you feel about your work schedule, the more stress both you and your kids will feel. Whining about your awful hours, even if your goal is to let your children know that you're just as unhappy with the situation as they are, is an invitation to them to join in the whining, thus increasing your feelings of guilt.

It's helpful to remember that there are a lot of options available to shiftworking parents and their kids that aren't available to nine-to-fivers. Parents who work evening shifts are often able to help with classroom activities or serve as lunchroom monitors at their kids' schools. Parents who work overnight shifts arrive home as their kids are getting up in the morning and can better enjoy breakfast time because they're not rushing to get off to work themselves.

Negotiating a Contract With Your Teen
"I know a nurse, a single-parent shiftworker, who wanted to be in touch with her teenage daughter," O'Connor says. "The two of them sat down and discussed curfews, rules for daily contact, responsibilities, etc. They hammered out differences, and agreed that they would meet together as often as necessary to alter or refine the agreement. They put it in writing, and each signed it. This is a very healthy idea for any family with a shiftworking parent."

If you have more than one child, work out individual, age-appropriate contracts with each.

Being a Noncustodial Shiftworking Parent
Visits between a child and a noncustodial shiftworking parent can be great, O'Connor says, but will require "coloring outside the lines." Perhaps you can meet for breakfasts rather than spending entire weekends together, she suggests. Above all, show up, be present, and be committed. Stay in touch with telephone calls, letters, email, and visits whenever possible.

Weighing the Pros and Cons
Teens whose parents work nontraditional hours attain greater maturity and develop home management skills at a younger age than their peers do, O'Connor says. On the other hand, when shiftworking parents don't pay enough attention to detail and aren't committed to being present in their children's lives, the resulting overabundance of independence combined with a lack of direction and boundaries can lead to behavior problems and difficulties in school.

"It can go either way. Which way it will go depends on the kind of attention that's paid to the child," O'Connor says. "When there are expectations, boundaries and, most importantly, responsibilities, it will work. Without these, it's a struggle."

Making It Work
The experts offer the following tips for making the most of your situation:

Schedule time together. -The lack of contact that can result from shiftwork can make meaningful interaction difficult, so it's especially important to schedule time together.

Develop routines. -Put everything, especially family time, (and sleep time!) on a calendar. Routine is very important, says Barry G. Ginsberg, PhD, director of the Center of Relationship Enhancement and a child and family psychologist in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Find creative ways to participate in events. -If you can't make it to the soccer match or band concert, have a family member videotape such events and schedule a time when you and your child can watch the video together while he or she recounts the high points. Want to attend a family party but have to leave early to go to work? Take two cars so you can get some enjoyment from the event without making everyone leave early because of your schedule.

Set clear rules. -Don't forget to set rules pertaining to acceptable reasons for waking a sleeping shiftworker.

Stay positive. -Keep a positive attitude about your schedule and look for the opportunities it offers. Always find a way to be grateful for what you have. Share your positive attitude with your kids by letting them know that this is how your family works and you're doing fine-you just march to the beat of a different drummer.

RESOURCES:
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org/

American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/index.asp

Canadian Psychological Association
http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/home.asp

References:
Shiftworker.com website. Available at: http://shiftworker.com/ .
Last reviewed February 2008 by Theodor B. Rais, MD

All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC . URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits.
To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at HLEditorialTeam@ebscohost.com .

Join Our Ostomy Support Group

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The ostomy support group is here for patients who have had or will have an intestinal or urinary diversions including urostomy, cystectomy, colostomy and ileostomy.�The Baptist Health System ostomy support group is a satellite group of the American Cancer society in�connection with the Ostomy Association of South Texas.

The group offers education, support and encouragement. Ostomy nurses from the community attend and offer their expertise to the group.

The group meets on the 3rd Sunday of every month at Northeast Baptist Hospital, in the classroom on the 1st floor (by elevator A) at 3pm.

For more information call Shanna at (210) 355-6894.

When:

Time:

Location:

3rd Sunday of each month

3:00 p.m.

Northeast Baptist Hospital
1st floor Classroom (by Elevator A)
8811 Village Dr.
San Antonio, Texas 78217
Maps & Directions

What is a Lymph Node Biopsy?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN

Definition
A lymph node biopsy is the removal and examination of all, or part, of a lymph node. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body, and are part of the body's immune system. These nodes help fight infection by producing special white blood cells called lymphocytes. They also work by trapping bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

Normally, lymph nodes cannot be felt unless they become swollen. Infection, usually by a virus, is the most common cause of lymph node swelling. Other causes include inflammatory disease, abscess, and cancer.

Parts of the Body Involved
Lymph nodes may be biopsied wherever they are enlarged and can be felt. Common areas for biopsy include:

Groin
Armpit
Neck
Under the jaw and chin
Behind the ears
On the back of the head

Reasons for Procedure
Lymph node biopsies are performed to find out why a node is swollen. This procedure is also used to see if there are cancer cells in the lymph node(s).

Risk Factors for Complications During the Procedure
Complications from a biopsy are rare. There is a small risk of bleeding or infection. If you have a bleeding problem, or take medication that causes increased bleeding, you may be at greater risk for complications. Pregnant women may also be at increased risk for complications.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure
Depending on the type of lymph node biopsy, the procedure may be done in an operating room, an outpatient surgical facility, or a doctor's office.

In the days leading up to your procedure you will need to:

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies
Sign a consent form
Inform your doctor of all medications you are taking, including any herbs, vitamins, or other supplements
Discuss your medical history with your doctor
Have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day before your procedure, unless your doctor specifies otherwise
Arrange for a ride home
Wear comfortable clothes, especially near the biopsy site

Stop taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs for one week before surgery, unless told otherwise by your doctor. You may also need to stop taking blood-thinning medications. Examples include clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), or ticlopidine (Ticlid). Talk to your doctor.

Anesthesia
Most biopsies are performed using a local anesthetic. Your doctor will inject a small needle with anesthetic into your skin to numb the area. You may feel some mild stinging. A sedative is sometimes given before the procedure.

General anesthesia is sometimes used for open biopsies. In this case, you may feel sleepy until the anesthesia wears off.

Description of the Procedure
Lymph nodes samples can be obtained by a needle biopsy or an open biopsy. There is also a procedure called a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Needle Biopsy
There are two types of needle biopsies, fine needle biopsy, and core needle biopsy. A fine needle biopsy uses a thin, hollow needle to obtain fluid and tissue samples. A core needle biopsy uses a larger needle to cut a piece of tissue from the sample. Sometimes an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan is used to help locate the biopsy site.

Lymph Node Biopsy
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�© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
�

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Open Biopsy
An open biopsy means removing the lymph node(s) through an incision, or surgery. For this type of biopsy, a surgeon will cut into the skin and remove either the whole lymph node or part. More than one lymph node may be sampled. After removal, the incision is closed with stitches and bandaged. Either local or general anesthesia may be used, depending upon where the sample is taken.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
This type of biopsy is used to detect cancer. A sentinel lymph node is the first node or nodes, that cancer is expected to spread to from the primary tumor. For this biopsy, a special dye and a radioisotope tracer are placed near the tumor. The doctor then traces where the dye and isotopes go, and removes the lymph nodes the dye reaches first. These nodes are then checked for cancer. The benefit to this type of testing is that fewer lymph nodes may need to be removed.

After Procedure
After the procedure the tissue samples from the lymph node(s) are tested for the presence of infection or cancer. In some cases, the sample is sent to the lab during surgery for a quick test for cancer. This helps the surgeon determine if more samples need to be taken. A pathologist will prepare the sample and view it under a microscope for any abnormalities.

How Long Will It Take?
Depending upon the type of biopsy, the procedure can take from 30 minutes for a needle biopsy to an hour or longer for an open biopsy. If a CT scan or ultrasound is used, the procedure may take longer.

Will It Hurt?
You will be given anesthesia to numb the area, and prevent pain during the procedure. You may feel some pressure or pinching during local anesthesia. If you feel any pain, tell your doctor at once. Some tenderness at the biopsy site is expected after the procedure.

Possible Complications
There are generally few complications after a lymph node biopsy. There is a small risk of bleeding or infection. Nerve damage including numbness at the biopsy site may occur.

If you received dye during a sentinel biopsy, you may experience discolored skin or urine. There is also a rare risk of allergic reaction to the dye.

Average Hospital Stay
Most lymph node biopsies are performed on an outpatient basis. A short stay in the hospital may be necessary in some cases.

Postoperative Care
Your doctor will give you specific instructions based upon where the biopsy was performed. General instructions include keeping the biopsy site clean and dry.

Outcome
Your biopsy will be sent to a pathologist to examine. Results are generally ready in a few days. Your doctor will give you the results from the test, and let you know if any further treatment is necessary.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs
It is important for you to monitor your recovery once you leave the hospital. If you notice any of the following, call your doctor:

Bleeding
Pain
Fever
Redness or swelling at biopsy site
Worsening symptoms
New symptoms that persist

RESOURCES:

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca

Cancer Care Ontario
http://www.cancercare.on.ca/

References:
Lymph node biopsy. Medline Plus, US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003933.htm . Accessed August 29, 2005.

Testing biopsy and cytology specimens for cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.... . Accessed August 29, 2005.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy: questions and answers. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://cis.nci.gov/fact/7_44.htm . Accessed August 29, 2005.

Swollen glands. Medline Plus, US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003097.htm . Accessed August 30, 2005.

Zaret BL, Jatlow PI, and Katz LD. The Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests . New York: Houghton Mifflin Company; 1997.

Last reviewed November 2008 by Mohei Abouzied, MD

Last Updated: 11/17/08

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To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at HLEditorialTeam@ebscohost.com .

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Managing Chronic Low Back Pain

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

by Richard Glickman-Simon, MD

If you never suffer from low back pain, consider yourself one of the fortunate few. Up to 85% of people living in industrialized countries will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, and 30% will say their backs hurt right now. Back pain is the most common reason for Americans under the age of 45 to limit their activity. It is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor, and the third most common cause of surgery.

There is some good news, though. With or without medical treatment, most people recover from an acute episode in a few days or weeks, and about 90% will be pain-free within three months. But for many people, low back pain becomes a chronic or recurrent condition, often resulting in considerable social and occupational disability.

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Why So Common?

Many factors contribute to low back pain-inadequate fitness, heavy lifting, poor posture. But our evolutionary history is to blame for our susceptibility to this pain. At some point in the distant past, some of our ancestors decided to stand on two feet, presumably so their hands would be free to fashion tools and use them efficiently. While their reasons were good, going vertical was not without its drawbacks.

Walking around on all fours distributes the force of gravity evenly over the length of the spine. Standing up, however, concentrates this force in one location-the lumbosacral region, just north of the buttocks. Our vulnerability to low back pain is the price we pay for bipedal locomotion.

Several factors can contribute to persistent back pain:

·�� Work-related injury, particularly if the work environment requires or allows use of improper body mechanics (e.g., bending or twisting when lifting)

·�� Poor ergonomics for sedentary workers

·�� Degenerative disease (e.g., arthritis) of the spine, with or without intervertebral disk disease

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No Obvious Cause

Most cases of chronic back pain are idiopathic, meaning they have no clear explanation. Without a known cause, treatment is very difficult and often unsuccessful. This leads many people to alternative therapies. Below are among the most commonly used therapies to treat chronic low back pain:

·�� Chiropractic

·�� Acupuncture

·�� Massage

There is some evidence that, at least in the short-term, each of these therapies may be effective at alleviating discomfort, improving function, and/or enhancing a sense of well-being. However, it is unclear if any one of them is superior to the other or to physical therapy, the standard conventional treatment; furthermore, it is not clear that any of these approaches provide more than short-term benefit.

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More Is Better��TOP

So what then is the best treatment for chronic low back pain?

According to evidence, what seems to matter is not which one, but how many treatments you use. In other words, interventions that address not only the physical aspects of the pain, but also its psychological, social, and occupational influences, were the most effective. Biopsychosocial rehabilitation programs include the following:

·�� Cognitive-behavioral therapy

·�� Massage

·�� Exercise

·�� Relaxation

·�� Hydrotherapy

·�� Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (low energy electrical impulses delivered to nerves in the back)

·�� Heat and cold application

·�� Injections and minimally invasive procedures

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Complex Solutions for Complex Problems��TOP

This combination of therapies makes a lot of sense. It is well known that an enormously complex range of factors, affecting many aspects of life, contribute to our experience of chronic pain. It is hard to imagine, then, that any single intervention-alternative or conventional-could succeed. An alternative therapy, therefore, should be part of a multidimensional treatment strategy.

Some people are skeptical of this comprehensive approach. Although review noted above found positive results, other studies have failed to find that even the most complex and expensive treatments make a great deal of difference. Chronic back pain is simply a difficult problem, and one that current medical techniques do not address with great success.

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Where Do We Go From Here?��TOP

If you suffer from idiopathic chronic pain anywhere in your body consider the following steps:

·�� Recognize that your condition is a complicated problem that cannot be treated in isolation. This is the first step to gaining control over your pain and your life.

·�� Determine which facets of your pain have not been adequately addressed-psychological, social, occupational, and/or physical. Tackling this problem from only one perspective is unlikely to work.

·�� Continue working with your primary care physician, and consider getting a referral to a physiatrist, who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. These physicians are in the best position to coordinate a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment plan, whether or not it includes alternative therapies.

·�� Strive for restore function. Your goal should be to resume your normal activities, not only to reduce your pain. Although the two are closely linked, the evidence suggests that focusing on function is the key to recovery.

·�� Look both ways. Look ahead to visualize what it will be like to have no pain or disability. But also look back to measure your progress. It is easier to succeed when you see how far you've come.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
http://www.aapmr.org

American Society of Exercise Physiologists
ttp://www.asep.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology��
http://www.csep.ca

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php

References

Slipman CW, Derby R, Simeone FA, Mayer TG. Interventional Spine: An Algorithmic Approach . Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2008.

Last reviewed November 2008 by John C. Keel, MD

All EBSCO Publishing proprietary, consumer health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits.
To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at HLEditorialTeam@ebscohost.com.

�

Emphysema: How You Get It, and How to Fight It

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Emphysema: How You Get It, and How to Fight It

by Rick Alan

En Espa�ol (Spanish Version)

The Surgeon General is right. Cigarette smoking is hazardous-even lethal-to your health. Affecting an estimated two million Americans, emphysema is a chronic respiratory condition, nearly always caused by the destruction of lung tissue by toxins contained in cigarette smoke. This in turn leads to chronic overinflation of the lungs, greatly decreasing their ability to function.

Like chronic bronchitis, emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that evolves over a period of time. Specifically, emphysema destroys the structural architecture of the lungs and results in destruction of the alveoli, the approximately three million tiny air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen is delivered to the lungs and carbon dioxide is carried from the lungs across the walls of the alveoli. As more and more alveoli are damaged, it becomes harder and harder for the lungs to function, causing one or more of the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath
Increasing difficulty exercising
Great difficulty exhaling
Chronic coughing
Tiredness and fatigue
Chest pain
Persistent swelling of feet and ankles (this is a sign that your lungs aren't functioning properly)
Weight loss
The need to sleep on more pillows than usual to breathe at night

As the disease progresses, breathing becomes increasingly difficult. In its most severe stage, virtually any physical activity becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible. (To feel what it's like to have emphysema, try the following: take a very deep breath then, without exhaling, try to continue breathing in and out.)

What Causes Emphysema?

According to Dr. Joseph Zibrack, associate director of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, "Like chronic bronchitis, over 90% of all cases of emphysema are caused by long-term smoking of cigarettes or other tobacco products. [In rare cases], emphysema is inherited and results from a deficiency of a protein known as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha-1)."

Diagnosis and Treatment

When a patient complains of the chronic presence of the symptoms of emphysema, a physical exam and various lung capacity tests are done to confirm the diagnosis. Chest x-rays may also be performed, but are only informative for moderate to later stages of emphysema.

Since, at present, emphysema cannot be cured, the goals of treatment are to:

Relieve the symptoms of the disease
Prevent further loss of lung function

Relieving Symptoms

To relieve symptoms, one or more of the following treatments may be used:

Bronchodilator medications, which can be inhaled or taken orally to help relax the lungs' airways. In addition to improving quality of life through relief of symptoms, anticholinergic medications ( tiotropium) may possibly reduce the rate of decline in lung function if started fairly early in the course of emphysema. New treatments that can similarly slow the progression of this disease are likely to emerge within the next few years.
Antibiotics, to help fight infections that may become more prevalent in a patient with emphysema.
Breathing exercises and a physical conditioning program, to help improve lung capacity and general overall physical condition.
Anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids) may be prescribed in efforts to heal the linings of air passageways.
Oxygen therapy, in the form of supplemental oxygen, may be used for patients with severely impaired lung function.
Administration of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (also called alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT)), in those extremely rare cases where emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency.

In recent years, three types of surgery have been performed to treat patients with severe COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. These include:

Bullectomy: removal of blebs on the lungs, sometimes performed via laser
Lung transplant
Lung volume reduction surgery, where seriously damaged portions of the lungs are removed, allowing the less diseased and healthy portions to expand and work more efficiently

Surgical treatment of emphysema can be of value in highly selected persons with severe disease but may not be available except in large centers or those participating in research concerning these surgical procedures. Lung transplantation is often used when all other treatments fail. Lung reduction surgery may delay the need for lung transplantation and can significantly improve quality of life in some individuals.

Stop Smoking

The treatments noted above can only help limit and relieve the symptoms of emphysema. To slow its progression, the agent causing emphysema must be removed. And since long-term smoking of cigarettes or other tobacco products causes the overwhelming number of cases of emphysema, the only effective way to slow the progression of emphysema is to quit smoking.

Prevention

To prevent the onset (or worsening) of emphysema, you should take the following steps:

If you smoke, quit. Or seek assistance to help you quit. Insurance plans will pay for most smoking cessation programs.
Avoid workplace and environmental pollutants.
Take measures to avoid colds and the flu (including a yearly flu vaccination).
Seek treatment at the earliest sign of any pulmonary (lung) infection or if you have trouble breathing.
Drink plenty of liquids.
Exercise regularly and eat a healthful diet to help strengthen your immune system.
Avoid extremes of temperature and altitude.

As noted, emphysema does not suddenly occur. It develops over a long period of time. Unfortunately, many sufferers ignore their condition until it becomes serious, at which point treatment options are less effective. Therefore, at the first sign of any of the symptoms listed above, it is imperative that you consult your doctor.

RESOURCES:

American Lung Association

1-800-LUNG-USA

http://www.lungusa.org

Inherited Emphysema

National Jewish Medical and Research Center

http://www.nationaljewish.org

UCLA ATRA Emphysema Trial

http://www.med.ucla.edu/EduMatrls/atra.htm

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

Lung Association

http://www.lung.ca/

References:

Tutic M, Lardinois D, Imfeld S, Korom S, Boehler A, Speich R, et al. Lung-volume reduction surgery as an alternative or bridging procedure to lung transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Jul;82(1):208-13.

Last reviewed July 2008 by Jill Landis, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Men's Health News and Events - Baptist Health System

Finally, an effective solution for chronic acid reflux!

New Hi-Tech "Mesh" Helps Hernia Patients Get Back on Their Feet Fast

Attend a Diabetes Self-Management Course

Attention Cancer Patients, Need A Ride?

"Starting Now" Stroke Education Program

Shiftworking Parents: How to Stay Connected to Your Kids

Join Our Ostomy Support Group

What is a Lymph Node Biopsy?

Groin Armpit Neck Under the jaw and chin Behind the ears On the back of the head

Lymph Node Biopsy � �© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc. � �

Click Here To Go Back To The E-Newsletter

Managing Chronic Low Back Pain

Why So Common?

No Obvious Cause

More Is Better����TOP

Complex Solutions for Complex Problems����TOP

Where Do We Go From Here?����TOP

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology������������������� http://www.csep.ca

References

Emphysema: How You Get It, and How to Fight It

Groin
Armpit
Neck
Under the jaw and chin
Behind the ears
On the back of the head

Lymph Node Biopsy
�

�© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
�

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More Is Better��TOP

Complex Solutions for Complex Problems��TOP

Where Do We Go From Here?��TOP

Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology��
http://www.csep.ca