Emphysema is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in which the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs get damaged. In emphysema, the wall of air sacs become weak with time and rupture resulting in permanent enlargement of alveoli. This results in the reduction of surface area of the lungs and decrease in the amount of oxygen that can reach the bloodstream. It makes a person harder to breathe. Homeopathic treatment for emphysema tends to play a supportive role in the treatment and should be used alongside conventional treatment.
People having emphysema also frequently tend to have chronic bronchitis. Smoking tobacco remains the main cause of the development of emphysema. Smoking marijuana can also result in emphysema. Apart from this air pollution, exposure to chemical fumes, dust, and other lung irritants like cotton, wood or mining products increases the risk of developing emphysema. Emphysema can rarely be caused by inherited deficiency of a protein alpha -1- antitrypsin in some cases.
Homeopathic Treatment for Emphysema
Homeopathy cannot reverse the damage already occurred in emphysema but it can help to slow down the further progression of the condition. Symptoms of shortness of breath and cough are managed with natural medicines in an excellent manner. Ammonium Carb, Antimonium Arsenicosum, Arsenic Album, Lobelia Inflata, Silicea and Ipecac are the top remedies for emphysema.
1. Ammonium Carb – Top Grade Medicine for Emphysema
Ammonium Carb is one of the best medicines for treating emphysema. Ammonium Carb is highly beneficial for emphysema cases where a person feels shortness of breath from moving even a few steps. Shortness of breath gets worse in a warm room. Open air relieves the shortness of breath. Cough may appear with difficult breathing and it tends to get worse at night. The chest feels heavy along with chronic weakness.
2. Antimonium Arsenicosum – For Excessive Dyspnea and Cough
Antimonium Arsenicosum is next well-indicated medicine for emphysema. It works well in cases of emphysema with excessive dyspnea and cough. In cases needing Antimonium Arsenicosum, the difficulty in breathing is felt most on eating or lying down. Cough appears with a lot of mucus with shortness of breath. Weakness is felt with above symptoms Apart from emphysema Antimonium Arsenicosum is also indicated for other lung disorders including pneumonia, pleural effusion, and pleurisy.
3. Arsenic Album – When Intense Anxiety Appears with Shortness of Breath
Arsenic Album is a very helpful medicine for emphysema when intense anxiety appears with shortness of breath. Cold sweat may also appear on the face with this. Shortness of breath appears on walking, exertion and even on lying down. Breathing is easier by inclining chest forward. Cough and whistling in the chest may also accompany dyspnea. Expectoration may appear which is scanty, frothy and difficult.
4. Lobelia Inflata – Where Shortness of Breath arises from Slight Exertion
Lobelia Inflata is highly useful for emphysema where shortness of breath appears from slight exertion. Exposure to cold also worsens shortness of breath. Going up and down stairs also lead to shortness of breath. Constriction and sensation of fullness in the middle of the chest are present. The respiratory tract feels dry with above symptoms.
5. Silicea – For Shortness of Breath on Walking Fast
Silicea is considered in cases of emphysema where person experience shortness of breath on walking fast. Shortness of breath is also felt on stooping and lying on back. Cough and soreness in the chest also appears. Cough continues day and night. Profuse expectoration may arise with the cough. A foul smell may appear from the phlegm.
6. Carbo Veg – For Dyspnea, Cough and Profuse Expectoration
Carbo Veg is prominent medicine for emphysema with dyspnea, cough and profuse expectoration. Cough appears in violent spells. Lumps of mucus are expectorated on coughing. Expectoration may be greenish, yellow, brown or purulent and is tough, thick. Shortness of breath arises when walking. A fullness of chest attends.
7. Hepar Sulph – For Dyspnea, Cough, and Yellow, Fetid Expectoration
Hepar Sulph is wonderful medicine for emphysema with dyspnea, cough and yellowish fetid expectoration. The expectoration may be purulent, profuse and tenacious. The symptoms tend to get worse in cold air and get better by wrapping up warmly.
8. Phosphorus – For Emphysema with Bronchitis
Phosphorus offers help in cases of emphysema with attending bronchitis. There is difficult respiration attended with fullness and heaviness in the chest. Extreme prostration accompanies dyspnea. There appears cough with expectoration of yellow or greyish mucus, sometimes streaked with blood. It may have a sweet, sour or salty taste.
9. Ipecac – For Emphysema in Older Adults
Ipecac is prepared from the dried root of plant Cephaelis ipecacuanha of the natural order Rubiaceae. Ipecac is prominently indicated for treating emphysema in old people. There is extreme dyspnea with cough in cases needing Ipecac. Difficult breathing appears from slight exercise. Chest feels oppressed. Rattling and wheezing in chest is also felt. There appears excessive mucus in chest which is expectorated with difficulty.
10. Digitalis – For Emphysema with Heart Complaint
Digitalis is prepared from leaves of plant Digitalis purpurea commonly known by the name of foxglove of the natural order Scrophulariaceae. Digitalis can be used for supportive help along with conventional treatment in cases of emphysema with attending heart complaint. The person needing Digitalis have dyspnea with a constant desire to breath deeply. There is cough with yellow jelly-like mucus expectoration. The complaints get aggravated by walking and relieved while lying perfectly quiet.
Symptoms of Emphysema
In many cases, a person may have emphysema without knowing it because they don’t experience any of the symptoms. The main and first symptom noticed in emphysema is shortness of breath, which usually begins gradually. Shortness of breath is especially felt during exercise and physical exertion initially. With time the person starts to feel difficulty in breathing every time, even when at rest that causes difficulty in performing routine activities. Other attending symptoms of emphysema include cough, weight loss, and fatigue.
