Index
It is a serious and ongoing lung condition that can affect all areas of life, especially as the disease progresses.
Emphysema is the result of damage to the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs, causing you to become short of breath.
It is one of several diseases collectively known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .
When a patient has emphysema, the lungs become progressively damaged, making it more difficult to breathe.
Although the damage cannot be reversed, it can lessen the worsening of symptoms.
When this lung condition happens, the alveoli in the lungs become damaged and lose some of their elasticity and cannot empty completely, trapping air in the lungs and causing shortness of breath.
Emphysema can usually be caused by smoking or, in rare cases, it can be inherited.
The earliest symptom of emphysema may be minor discomfort with breathing during exertion or exercise.
Description of the disease
There are two specific forms of chronic obstructive lung diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Both make breathing difficult and it is not uncommon for someone to have both forms of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Emphysema affects the physical structure of the lungs.
There are tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. There are an estimated 600 million such air sacs in the lungs.
This is an incredibly complex process, when you breathe, all those air sacs are filled with oxygen-rich air.
When you have emphysema, the walls between each air sac lose their strength and elasticity due to chronic lung damage.
Over time, the walls break down, creating fewer and fewer small individual air sacs.
This should not be confused with subcutaneous emphysema, which is when air becomes trapped under the skin due to trauma or injury.
This causes fewer larger air gaps instead of normal small gaps.
The fewer number of larger air sacs causes a reduction in the total surface area of the lungs.
This means that less oxygen can be transferred from the air you breathe into your bloodstream.
Chronic bronchitis is a condition associated with emphysema.
Bronchitis causes inflammation in the tubes (called bronchi) that carry air to and from your lungs.
This leads to a persistent cough and further reduces the air reaching the lungs.
Chronic obstructive lung disease flare-ups are sudden attacks of increased and worse symptoms, similar to an asthma attack.
Panting, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or increased mucus production may worsen.
If symptoms are severe, a patient may need to be hospitalized.
Preventive medication can help control emphysema and symptoms of chronic obstructive lung disease.
This is a common lung disease among long-time smokers.
Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke causes inflammation in the lungs that leads to the destruction of lung tissue.
Over time, this leads to numerous holes in the lungs.
As the disease progresses, the lungs lose their ability to exchange gases effectively and breathing becomes more difficult.
Although cigarette smoking is the most common cause of emphysema, non-smokers can occasionally be affected.
There is a rare genetic (familial) disease that can cause emphysema.
Also, chronic exposure to dust and the use of certain injection drugs can cause emphysema.
The term emphysema is often used interchangeably with chronic obstructive lung diseases.
Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Causes and risk factors
When it comes to causes of emphysema, smoking accounts for more than 90 percent of cases.
The 7,000 chemicals released by burning cigarettes weaken your lungs, destroy lung air sacs, accelerate disease progression, and cause chronic inflammation and irritation that further reduce the strength of your lungs.
But even if the patient does not smoke, he could still be exposed to risk factors and hidden causes of emphysema:
Air pollution
Whether it’s the exhaust from the cars around you on your daily commute to the city or the dust in your office or home.
Long-term exposure to air pollution and lung irritants can cause all forms of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Risks in the workplace
Chronic obstructive lung disease cases are related to work in factories and similar workplaces that expose people to chemical fumes and vapors.
Gender and age demographics
The older you are, the greater your risk of chronic obstructive lung disease.
An estimated 90 percent of people with emphysema are over the age of 45.
Gender can also play a role. While the number of women with the disease continues to rise, the rates in men have declined slightly.
Inheritance
Emphysema, although rarely, can be caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin that is responsible for protecting the elastic structures in the lungs.
Signs and symptoms of emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term condition that generally progresses slowly over several years.
There may be no symptoms for a long time, and you may not know you have emphysema.
As emphysema in the lungs worsens, symptoms will develop.
As shortness of breath and cough get progressively worse, the body becomes less and less active until normal daily household chores become very difficult.
And finally there is shortness of breath even when you are at rest.
The symptoms of emphysema may seem small and insignificant.
This is why many people only get a diagnosis once their lung disease has progressed to a serious state.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it could be an early warning sign of emphysema:
Chronic cough or wheezing
If you have a cough that has not gone away after eight weeks, it is classified as “chronic” by medical professionals.
The cause of your cough could be something as simple as a mild respiratory infection or a sign of something more serious like emphysema.
Emphysema-related coughs are often wheezing as well, or you may experience wheezing separately.
Short of breath
People often attribute shortness of breath to simply “being out of shape” or “getting old.”
Actually, if you ever feel tightness in your chest or if you can’t breathe fast enough, and this feeling happens when you’re doing everyday activities, like walking the dog or getting mail, you should see a doctor.
Physical changes
A few different changes in the body could be clues.
If the body is producing a lot of mucus, that could be a sign of emphysema.
Nails and lips are also vital signs.
If they have a blue tint, it may be because you are not getting enough oxygen (also known as cyanosis).
Finally, chronic fatigue may be felt because the lungs are not working efficiently.
In addition to shortness of breath and coughing, swelling of the legs is also common as the disease progresses.
Diagnosis
Emphysema is diagnosed by taking a history, physical exam, breathing tests, and a chest X-ray or CT scan.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will establish the appropriate treatment.
The first and most important step in treating emphysema is to stop smoking immediately.
In addition, there are many medications that can help reduce symptoms, decrease the frequency of exacerbations, and improve exercise capacity.
First-line medications are generally inhalers.
Exacerbations are often treated with antibiotics, steroids, and an increased frequency of breathing treatments.
If you have shortness of breath and cannot utter a complete sentence without shortness of breath, it is an emergency and you should get medical attention immediately.
Spirometry
The most common test used to help diagnose the condition is called spirometry.
This test determines how much air a person can take in and out of the lungs, and the rate at which it can be expelled.
Gasometría arterial
A blood test taken from the artery in your arm that is used to assess your lung’s ability to provide blood with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope.
Computed tomography
A series of X-rays that can be used to view almost every part of the body in 3-D is known as a CT scan.
Fluoroscopy torácica
Thoracic fluoroscopy provides diagnostic information on how the lungs are working and detecting abnormalities such as cancer.
Chest x-ray
A chest X-ray may be one of the first procedures your doctor will perform to reach a diagnosis for a wide variety of conditions.
Nuclear medicine scan
A nuclear medicine scan is a test that produces images of organs and areas of the body that cannot be seen well with standard x-rays.
Thoracentesis
If lung cancer or other lung diseases are suspected, a thoracentesis may be recommended, which examines the fluid that is removed from the sac that surrounds the lungs for cancer cells.
Treatments
In addition to medications for emphysema, many other treatments are very important.
Pharmacological therapies
There are three types of medications that the doctor can prescribe.
Depending on the progress of the disease, any complications you may have, and your lifestyle.
Your doctor may suggest one or more of the following medications for the treatment of emphysema:
- Corticosteroids: Taken in pill form or through an inhaler, corticosteroids reduce lung inflammation and open up your airways so you can breathe more easily.
- Bronchodilators: True to their name, these drugs dilate / open your airways. You usually take them through an inhaler and they can improve your ability to exercise while minimizing shortness of breath.
- Antibiotics: Although antibiotics do not directly affect emphysema, people with lung health problems also often get lung infections. Antibiotics can help treat these infections.
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is simply the medical use of supplemental oxygen.
Researchers found that long-term oxygen therapy can improve the lives and quality of life of people with various respiratory diseases.
As the air sacs in the lungs collapse during the progression of emphysema, the amount of oxygen you receive with each breath plummets.
Supplemental oxygen can minimize the risks that come with chronically low oxygen levels and can even add years to your life.
Surgery
Surgery is by far the most expensive and invasive treatment for emphysema and is often the last resort when the disease has progressed severely.
The most common surgery is lung volume reduction surgery.
The surgeon surgically removes the damaged lung tissue.
This gives the healthy portions of your lungs more room to move and breathe effectively.
In the most severe cases, you may be a candidate for a lung transplant.
This is rarely offered this option unless the emphysema is so severe that it does not give you many years to live.
These two surgeries are only appropriate for a small percentage of patients.
Other types of treatments
A healthy approach to treating symptoms can help you live a long and healthy life.
If the idea of taking long-term medications or having invasive surgery doesn’t sound like a happy, healthy life, talk to your doctor about options for natural, non-invasive ways to manage your emphysema symptoms, as well as how to do it and improve your breathing.
Take steps like:
Stop smoking: if the patient smokes when the disease is diagnosed, they should stop smoking. This is the # 1 most important step in preventing lung disease from getting worse.
A combination of behavioral strategies such as social support groups and medications has been found to be the most effective way to stop the habit.
Therapies and Diets: Researchers have also effectively used meditation, acupuncture, and a diet high in fruits and vegetables to help long-term smokers kick the habit faster.
Nutritional deficiencies are more common in people with this disease because the disease requires more on their energy levels and a regular diet cannot meet those demands. This can worsen the fatigue and low energy that accompanies illness.
Pulmonary rehabilitation: As part of emphysema treatment, people undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation for six to 10 weeks have significantly positive results with this form of natural treatment.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is basically a form of physical therapy. A specialist who will provide you with a combination of educational support, psychological support, and training in specialized approaches to breathing.
Liquid: drink more water, less caffeine and alcohol.
Get more vitamin D: When you have emphysema, you can usually see low levels of vitamin D.
In a breakthrough in the treatment of emphysema, scientists have found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and chronic obstructive lung disease, probably because this important vitamin plays a role in preventing loss of lung health.
Most men and women should aim for 600 IU of vitamin D every day. Exposure to sunlight is one of the best ways to increase your body’s vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D can also be found in foods such as salmon, egg yolks, and some mushrooms, such as Portobello mushrooms.
Coenzyme CoQ10: People with chronic obstructive lung diseases and asthma often have low levels of coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant linked to better lung health.
Taking 90 milligrams of CoQ10 for eight weeks improves lung function and exercise performance in some of the patients. Nutrients can be obtained from whole foods and not from supplements. Foods rich in CoQ10 include beef, chicken, pistachios, and broccoli.
Control of emphysema
Controlling emphysema requires a daily effort that involves:
- Manage symptoms (use medications and devices correctly).
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle (no smoking, regular exercise).
- Prevent deterioration (with the relevant vaccines).
- Control outbreaks (following an Action Plan developed with the doctor).
Mental health and emotional needs
The person with emphysema may need help with practical tasks, such as dressing, oxygen therapy, and medication, but they may also need help to maintain motivation and emotional support.
Being diagnosed with a chronic disease like emphysema is very important and can lead to feelings of helplessness, depression and anxiety become a new inconvenience.
Complications of emphysema
People who have emphysema are also more likely to develop:
- Lung infections – These can occur frequently.
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax): A collapsed lung can be life-threatening in people with severe emphysema, because the function of their lungs is already so compromised. This is rare but serious when it occurs.
- Heart problems: Emphysema increases the pressure in the arteries that connect the lungs to the heart. This condition causes a failure in the right side of the heart, which is in charge of pumping blood to the lungs.
- Formation of large holes in the lungs: also called bullae. These blisters can be very large and reduce oxygen transfer to the bloodstream and also increase the risk of a pneumothorax.
Forecast
This form of chronic obstructive lung disease reduces the amount of oxygen you get, creating more and more breathing difficulties.
However, a diagnosis of emphysema does not mean that it will be a cause of death.
As with many diseases, emphysema can be divided into several stages of progression. Stage 1 is when the disease is very mild.
Stage 4 is when it has progressed to its most severe point. The doctor may suggest several conventional treatments to control the symptoms.
While there is no true cure for the disease, you can find ways to successfully manage the symptoms.
Precautions
While healthy and natural approaches to supplements, diet, and lifestyle can help control many of the symptoms of emphysema, it should not be forgotten that this disease is serious and potentially dangerous.
And it’s not just emphysema itself that people need to take precautions.
When your lungs are compromised, you are at higher risk for other respiratory problems, such as pneumonia , flu, and the common cold.
Annual vaccination against influenza and pneumonia is the best way to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
It is important to work with a healthcare professional who can help you find effective emphysema treatment guidelines, not only to manage the disease, but also to protect yourself from the many side effects of chronic obstructive lung diseases in general.
