Emphysema
Introduction/Overview
If you have been diagnosed with COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, you may be asking : What is emphysema? That’s because COPD and emphysema are interrelated. Emphysema is one of the conditions that affects people in the latter stages of COPD. Emphysema destroys the air sacs on each end of bronchioles, the tiniest of the airway passages in the lungs. That means that a sufficient amount of oxygen does not get into the bloodstream and you have shortness of breath as a result. As emphysema progresses, you have trouble both inhaling and exhaling.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Emphysema symptoms are mostly centered in the lungs. With emphysema, you can have shortness of breath, a tightness felt in the chest, wheezing, coughing, tiredness, and weight loss. You would only be able to exercise for a short amount of time. You should see a doctor if you develop shortness of breath, you have trouble breathing during exercise, your phlegm is yellow or green, and you have trouble breathing while bending over. Diagnosis of emphysema is done with PFTs, or pulmonary function tests.
Known Causes
The primary cause of emphysema is smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes destroy the air sacs in the lungs and the fibers that support them. A protein deficiency, known as AAt, can also cause lung damage in smokers and non-smokers. However, only one to two percent of the people who develop emphysema have this condition.
Treatments/Procedures
Once you have emphysema, it does not go away. You can slow the progression of the disease by quitting smoking. See your doctor about prescription medications for quitting smoking and set up a support network of family and friends. People who use quit smoking aids, such as nicotine gun, patches, Zyban or Chantix, have a higher rate of success than those who try to quit cold turkey. Emphysema treatment can also include bronchodilators or inhaled steroids. As emphysema progresses, you will most likely need supplemental oxygen at home. If you want to look at options which are surgical, emphysema is treated with a bullectomy, which removes air spaces and with lung volume reduction surgery, which gets rid of lung tissue that is damaged. A lung transplant is also a surgical option.
Prevention / Vaccination
The number one thing you can do to prevent emphysema is not to smoke. If you are a smoker, quit. Along with quitting smoking, you should also start exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. This will definitely increase the likelihood of a good emphysema prognosis.
Prognosis / Management
There are several ways to manage emphysema. Breathing exercises can go a long way towards increasing lung capacity and volume. Not only should you stop smoking yourself, you should avoid places where there is a lot of secondhand smoke. Get flu and pneumonia shots when recommended. Exercise as much as you can. Avoid going places where you can easily pick up respiratory infections. Cold air can make it harder to breathe, so cover your nose and mouth when outside in very cold weather. If you are diagnosed with emphysema, it is very important to wear a medic alert bracelet or carry a medical ID card identifying your disease, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.
Alternative Treatments & Products
There are all kinds of alternative treatments for emphysema. Some may give a little relief and some may not. Always consult with your doctor before beginning to take supplements or herbal products, as these can sometimes cause severe interactions with certain medications. Some supplements used to help emphysema symptoms are vitamins E, C, and A, coenzyme, and N-acetyl cysteine. Other alternative treatments include acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, herbs, and yoga.