|
What is pulmonary emphysema?
|
Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a term that
refers to a large group of lung diseases which can interfere with
normal breathing. It is estimated that 11 percent of the US
population has COPD. The two most common conditions of COPD are
chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The causes of COPD
are not fully understood. It is generally agreed that the most
important cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema is cigarette
smoking. Causes such as air pollution and occupational exposures
may play a role, especially when combined with cigarette smoking.
Heredity also plays a contributing role in some patients'
emphysema, and is especially important in a rare form -- due to
alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Symptoms
Patients with chronic bronchitis usually have cough and
sputum for many years before they develop shortness of breath.
Patients with
emphysema usually have shortness of breath and develop cough and
sputum during a respiratory infection, or in the later stages of
the illness.
|
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition in which alveoli,
or air sacs, may be:
-
destroyed
-
narrowed
-
collapsed
-
stretched
-
over-inflated
Over-inflation of the air-sacs is a result of a
breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, and causes a decrease in
respiratory function and breathlessness. Damage to the air sacs is
irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of
the lower lungs.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary
emphysema?
The following are the most common symptoms for pulmonary
emphysema, however, each person may experience symptoms differently.
Early symptoms of pulmonary emphysema may include:
-
shortness of breath
-
cough
Other symptoms may include:
-
fatigue
-
anxiety
-
sleep problems
-
heart problems
-
weight loss
-
depression
The symptoms of pulmonary emphysema may resemble
other lung conditions or medical problems. Consult your physician for a
diagnosis.
What are the causes of
pulmonary emphysema?
Emphysema does not develop suddenly, but occurs very gradually.
The lung has a system of elastic fibers that allow the lungs to expand and
contract. Pulmonary emphysema occurs when a breakdown in the chemical
balance that protects the lungs against the destruction of the elastic
fibers occurs.
There are a number of reasons for the breakdown in
chemical balance:
-
smoking
-
exposure to air pollution
-
irritating fumes and dusts on the job
-
a rare inherited form of the disease called alpha
1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency-related pulmonary emphysema, or early
onset pulmonary emphysema
How is pulmonary emphysema diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical
examination, the physician may request the
following:
-
blood tests -
to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood
-
chest x-ray
-
sputum analysis -
to examine the mucus for infection
-
electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- to measure the electrical activity of
the heart
Treatment for pulmonary
emphysema:
Specific treatment will be determined by your doctor(s) based on:
-
your age, overall health, and medical history
-
extent of the disease
-
your tolerance for specific medications,
procedures or therapies
-
expectations for the course of the disease
-
your opinion or preference
The goal of treatment for people with pulmonary
emphysema is to live more comfortably with the disease by providing relief
of symptoms and preventing progression of the disease with a minimum of
side effects. Treatment may include:
-
quitting smoking - the single most important
factor for maintaining healthy lungs
-
antibiotics for bacterial infections
-
oral medications
-
bronchodilators and other inhaled medications
-
exercise -- including breathing exercises to
strengthen the muscles used in breathing as part of a pulmonary
rehabilitation program to condition the rest of the body
-
oxygen supplementation from portable containers
-
lung reduction surgery to remove damaged area of
the lung
-
lung transplantation
|
