Emphysema
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that gets worse over time.
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that gets worse over time. What causes emphysema? Cigarette Smoking is the number one cause of emphysema.
Emphysema a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that gets worse over time.
What causes emphysema?
- Cigarette Smoking: The main cause of emphysema is cigarette smoking. Smoking can cause permanent damage by reaching deep down in the lungs. This damage is usually the destruction of small blood vessels feeding the alveoli; causing the small airways to collapse during expiration. This causes an obstructive lung disease.
- Antitrypsin Deficiency: This is a rare genetic disorder; people with this disorder have a deficiency in an enzyme that protects the lungs. People can get this disorder without ever smoking. Smokers can get it as a combination of both disorders.
- Air Pollution: Reports show evidence that air pollution can contribute to people getting emphysema. Smokers again are more likely to be also affected by pollution.
Signs and Symptoms of emphysema:
- Shortness of breath
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling tired
- A barrel shaped chest
People may feel that shortness of breath is expected as we age and it is just a sign of getting old – but it is not. If you have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. These signs will not go away over time, they can get worse. The sooner you see the doctor, the sooner you can receive the treatments to help you feel better.
How is emphysema diagnosed?
- Physical examination
- The listening to your lungs
- The sounds of your breathing
- Chest X-ray
- Blood Test
- Spirometry – This is a test that measures how much air you can move out of your lungs.
Treatments:
- There is no cure for emphysema, but it is possible to slow it down and ease the symptoms.
- The treatments include medication and the use of supplemental oxygen.
- Lung volume reduction surgery can improve the quality of life for carefully selected patient
- A Person with emphysema will eventually diefrom the disease or complications caused by the emphysema.
A study published by the European Respiratory Journal, suggests that "Tretinoin" derived from an anti-acne drug (Accutane) and vitamin A , can reverse effects of emphysema in mice by returning the elasticity to the lung tissue. (No positive clinical benefits found at present)
Complications are:
- A person with emphysema will eventually die from the disease or complications caused by emphysema
- Re-occurring chest infections
- Pneumonia
- Abnormally high blood pressure
- Abnormal high blood pressure in the arteries (Pulmonary hypertension)
- Cor pulmonale ( the enlargement and strain on the right side of the heart)
To enable you to live a long and comfortable life, it is important to see your doctor to get the correct treatments you need as well as to determine what kind of treatment and care you may need in the future. Most people with emphysema/COPD do find ways to enjoy a productive and happy life despite their disease for many years.
For more information: Call free "BreathWorks COPD" Helpline at 1-866-717-2673
www.lungusa.org, www.lung.ca, www.emphysemafoundation.org, www.mayoclinic.com
