Hi Debra.

According to mainstream medicine, emphysema is not curable and is progressive (will worsen over time).

I can't say that I agree with this. Having been diagnosed 5 years ago and seeing my health virtually unchanged (maybe a little improved), I firmly believe that if allowed to do so, the body has the mechanism to heal any disease.

I suggest, first of all, that he quit smoking. PERIOD. No "occasional" one, no "UNDER PRESSURE" one, no excuses. Each time he lights up, he's taking a few steps farther down the path of no return.

Next, I would find a natural health practitioner. Many chiropractors do this. When you find one, ascertain that he deals in products from Standard Process, Inc. They have stuff that works great.(www.standardprocess.com)

Also, I would advise drinking a lot of water (I would guess that he's severely dehydrated) and begin taking natural unprocessed salt to rebuild the minerals he's lacking. Check out http://www.watercure.org
for more specifics on this.

Next, take vitamin supplements. Vitamins A, E, C to name a few. Vitamin A (Retinol) has been tested as a treatment for emphysema - it worked on laboratory rats, but apparently failed on human subjects. Regardless, I take about 70-80,000 IU of vitamin A per day. I have no proof to offer other than my saying so, but I firmly believe that, regardless of any failed test, it has had a very positive effect on my lungs.

Finally, check out foods that are good for the lungs. Also, Welch's 100% Grape Juice (no other juice - it's the best antioxidant).

As for my own health, my breathing is about as near to perfect as it's ever been. There is some difficulty due to being overweight, and perhaps some scarring of the lung tissue from having the disease. But, other than that, I can almost say that I have no more effects from the disease.

Oh...one last thing: Breathing excercises. There may be a lot of breathing exercises that work, but I use one in partricular. I completely clear my lungs of air. Then, with my stomach and chest muscles, I compress the lungs as much as I can even further. This seems to squeeze out any remaining air or carbon dioxide that has been trapped inside. Doing this a few times may dislodge a small amount of phlegm or cause the sensation of needing to cough a few times. This is a good sign. It means that you've opened up more area of the lungs and your breathing will be a little deeper and more satisfying.