| What is Emphysema? |
Emphysema is a lung disease which involves damage to the air sacs
(alveoli) in the lungs. The air sacs are unable to completely inflate
and are unable to fill with fresh air to ensure adequate oxygen to the
body.
back to top | back
to services |
| |
| What causes Emphysema? |
| Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of emphysema. Tobacco smoke
and other pollutants are thought to release chemicals into the lungs that
damage the walls of the air sacs. This damage becomes worse over time,
affecting the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.
A naturally occurring substance in the lungs called Alpha 1 Antitrypsin
may protect against this damage. People with an Antitrypsin deficiency,
thus, are at an increased risk for the disease.
back to top | back
to services |
| |
| What are the symptoms? |
| The most common symptoms of Emphysema are shortness of breath, chronic
cough with or without sputum production and wheezing. Additional symptoms
can also include anxiety, unintentional weight loss, ankle/feet/leg swelling
and fatigue.
A physical examination may show decreased breath sounds, wheezing and/or
prolonged exhalation. There may be an increased front-to-back diameter
of the chest (barrel shaped chest). These can be signs of chronically
insufficient oxygen levels in the blood.
Complications can include recurrent respiratory infections, pulmonary
hypertension, cor pulmonale (enlargement and strain on the right side
of the heart), erythrocytosis (increased blood count) and even death.
back to top | back
to services |
| |
| How can I prevent catching
it? |
Simple: don't smoke and avoid any second-hand smoke. Cigarette smoking
is the #1 cause of Emphysema.
back to top | back
to services |
| |
| What treatments are
there? |
| Quitting smoking is the most important and effective treatment. This,
and only this, can stop the progression of lung damage once it has started.
Medications used to improve breathing include bronchodilators (hand-held
inhaler or nebulizer), diuretics and corticosteroids. Antibiotics may
be prescribed when respiratory infections occur. Influenza vaccines and
Pneumovax are recommended for people with Emphysema.
Low-flow oxygen can be used during exertion, continuously, or at night.
Pulmonary rehabilitation can improve exertion tolerance and quality
of life in the short term. Lung transplantation is an option for patients
with severe Emphysema.
The outcome is better for patients with less damage to the lung. However,
patients with extensive lung damage may live for many years, so predicting
prognosis is difficult. Death may occur from respiratory failure, pneumonia
or other common diseases.
An experimental surgery, called lung reduction, is currently being
studied in patients with severe emphysema. Lung surgery removes the
damaged portions of the lung, allowing the normal portions to expand
more fully and take advantage of increased aeration. It is not yet known
whether this surgery is effective.
back to top | back
to services |
| |
| Is there any additional information
that I should know? |
The outcome is better for patients with less damage to the lung.
However, patients with extensive lung damage may live for many years,
so predicting prognosis is difficult. Death may occur from respiratory
failure, pneumonia or other common diseases.
Call your health care provider if symptoms of Emphysema develop or,
if you know you already have it, if symptoms change or worsen.
back to top | back
to services |
