EMPHYSEMA
Emphysema is a disease of the lungs. It occurs most often in people who smoke,
but it also occurs in people who regularly breathe in irritants.
Emphysema destroys alveoli, which are air sacs in the lungs. The air sacs weaken
and eventually break, which reduces the surface area of the lungs and the amount of
oxygen that can reach the bloodstream. This makes it harder to breathe, especially
when exercising. Emphysema also causes the lungs to lose their elasticity.
Emphysema is one of the two most common conditions that fall under the umbrella
term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The other major COPD
condition is chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is an irreversible condition, so treatment
aims to slow its progression and minimize symptoms.
SYMPTOMS: -
Some people have had emphysema for years without knowing it.
Some of its first signs are shortness of breath and coughing, especially
during exercise or physical exertion. This continues to get worse until
breathing is difficult all the time, even when resting.
Other symptoms may include:
exhaustion
weight loss
depression
, Some people may develop bluish-grey lips or fingernails from lack of oxygen. If
this happens, seek medical attention immediately.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS: -
According to the American Lung Association, 2 million adults (1.6 percent of
people ages 18 years or older) had emphysema in 2018.
Rates were higher among males, non-Hispanic white people, and those over
the age of 65. However, the rates among females have been increasing in
recent decades, so the gap between the sexes has been decreasing.
Smoking tobacco is the main cause of emphysema. The more you smoke, the
higher your risk of developing emphysema. This includes smoking cannabis.
. Exposure to second-hand smoke also increases your risk of developing
emphysema.
Other causes of, as well as potential risk factors for developing emphysema,
may include:
exposure to high pollution chemical fumes or lung irritants
a genetic condition called alpha-1 deficiency can lead to a rare form of
emphysema called alpha-1 deficiency-related emphysema.
history of childhood respiratory infections
a compromised immune system, especially as a result of HIV
rare disorders such as Marfan syndrome.
Various tests can detect emphysema, including:
imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans, to look at your lungs
blood tests, to determine how well your lungs are transferring oxygen
pulse oximetry, to measure the oxygen content of your blood
lung function tests, which measure how much air your lungs can
breathe in and out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen into your
bloodstream
Emphysema is a disease of the lungs. It occurs most often in people who smoke,
but it also occurs in people who regularly breathe in irritants.
Emphysema destroys alveoli, which are air sacs in the lungs. The air sacs weaken
and eventually break, which reduces the surface area of the lungs and the amount of
oxygen that can reach the bloodstream. This makes it harder to breathe, especially
when exercising. Emphysema also causes the lungs to lose their elasticity.
Emphysema is one of the two most common conditions that fall under the umbrella
term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The other major COPD
condition is chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is an irreversible condition, so treatment
aims to slow its progression and minimize symptoms.
SYMPTOMS: -
Some people have had emphysema for years without knowing it.
Some of its first signs are shortness of breath and coughing, especially
during exercise or physical exertion. This continues to get worse until
breathing is difficult all the time, even when resting.
Other symptoms may include:
exhaustion
weight loss
depression
, Some people may develop bluish-grey lips or fingernails from lack of oxygen. If
this happens, seek medical attention immediately.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS: -
According to the American Lung Association, 2 million adults (1.6 percent of
people ages 18 years or older) had emphysema in 2018.
Rates were higher among males, non-Hispanic white people, and those over
the age of 65. However, the rates among females have been increasing in
recent decades, so the gap between the sexes has been decreasing.
Smoking tobacco is the main cause of emphysema. The more you smoke, the
higher your risk of developing emphysema. This includes smoking cannabis.
. Exposure to second-hand smoke also increases your risk of developing
emphysema.
Other causes of, as well as potential risk factors for developing emphysema,
may include:
exposure to high pollution chemical fumes or lung irritants
a genetic condition called alpha-1 deficiency can lead to a rare form of
emphysema called alpha-1 deficiency-related emphysema.
history of childhood respiratory infections
a compromised immune system, especially as a result of HIV
rare disorders such as Marfan syndrome.
Various tests can detect emphysema, including:
imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans, to look at your lungs
blood tests, to determine how well your lungs are transferring oxygen
pulse oximetry, to measure the oxygen content of your blood
lung function tests, which measure how much air your lungs can
breathe in and out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen into your
bloodstream
