HealthBreak, brought to you by CHI Saint Joseph Health.
Emphysema occurs at the end stages of pulmonary disease. The lungs lose their elasticity and can no longer push air out. Dr. Eli Colon talks about a new treatment option called an endobronchial valve.
The valves are placed with a bronchoscope with a minimally invasive procedure, and it basically goes to the area that is not ventilating, it's not functioning.
There, these one-way valves release the trapped air from this part of the lung. That gives room to the part of the lung that is still functioning, to be able to expand and exhale.
These valves are primarily for patients who are no longer responding to medications and have no other options to help them breathe normally.
All the studies are showing there's improvement in quality of life. Most of the difference is seen within the first two weeks. They have showed increase in ambulation, exercise capacity, even lung function tests.
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