""What's new in treatment of emphysema?? Any relief ? ""

[passing thru]

I was watching a t.v. show the other night and they said their is a lot of new treatments available for copd'ers and emphysema patients.....

the patients said they were feeling a lot better and

able to do a lot more....................... re: activity.

Regrettably, I was falling asleep.....................

and missed the point.

Anyone know what the main therapies are?

Anyone in your family receiveing therapy that is providing relief??

Thanks for any input.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I was watching a t.v. show the other night and they said their is a lot of new treatments available for copd'ers and emphysema patients.....

the patients said they were feeling a lot better and

able to do a lot more....................... re: activity.

Regrettably, I was falling asleep.....................

and missed the point.

Anyone know what the main therapies are?

Anyone in your family receiveing therapy that is providing relief??

Thanks for any input.

In the UK I work in a practice and see alot of COPD patients etc and we in the last 2 years have been using tiotropium if they are mod to severe and the feed back has in general been positive with comments from both the patient and rels saying they are doing more. We obviously also mention to them re smoking cessation and pulmonary rehab. Have also had good responses with pul rehab

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Tiotropium sold as Spiriva HandiHaler in US

http://www.pharmacist.com/articles/h_ts_0466.cfm

Just starting to see it used in Philadelphia area.

Temple Lung center is also doing Lung Reduction surgery for advanced cases.

See: The National Emphysema Treatment Trial

http://www.temple.edu/pulmonary/nettintr.html

[passing thru]

Thank you both for the info.