YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Mercy Health is introducing a new treatment option for COPD and emphysema patients.

According to a press release, Mercy Health is now offering Zephyr Endobronchial Valves, which involves a minimally invasive procedure to place valves into the damaged areas of the lung affected by the disease.

The treatment, which will be offered at Mercy Health - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, is the first FDA-approved procedure that can help COPD patients have "an improved quality of life without the risks associated with major surgery."

"We are very excited to have this new treatment option because our severe COPD and emphysema patients suffer with very poor quality of life and struggle with each breath," said Dr. Niraj Niraula, Mercy Health pulmonologist. "Until recently, the only other options for these patients were highly invasive treatments such as lung transplantation or surgery."

According to the American Lung Association, more than 15 million Americans suffer from COPD and 3.5 million of those patients have emphysema. Despite using COPD medications, over 1 million emphysema patients suffer symptoms of hyperinflation, in which air becomes trapped in the parts of the lung damaged by the disease. This trapped air causes the damaged areas of the lungs to get larger, which puts pressure on the healthy parts of the lungs and diaphragm, leading to extreme shortness of breath.

According to Mercy Health, there are few treatment options for most patients with emphysema, and the only other options for these patients were highly invasive treatments such as lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation.

Mercy Health also reports that treatment with the valves is minimally invasive, shortening recovery time and lessening the risk of infection.

Candidates for this new procedure are individuals who have known or suspected emphysema and hyperinflation, breathlessness despite taking medications, and a relatively high degree of airway obstruction.

Mercy Health recommends talking with a doctor or healthcare specialist to see if the treatment is an option.

For more information about Mercy Health's pulmonology services and team, visit https://www.mercy.com/health-care-services/pulmonology