It causes a decrease in respiratory function and breathlessness. Damage to the air sacs can't be fixed. It causes permanent holes in the lower lung tissue.
Pulmonary emphysema is part of a group of lung diseases called COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD lung diseases cause airflow blockage and breathing problems. The 2 most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms may be slightly different for each person. The following are the most common symptoms for pulmonary emphysema.
The symptoms of pulmonary emphysema may look like other lung conditions or health problems. See a healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Treatments include Lifestyle changes , such as Quitting smoking if you are a smoker. This is the most important step you can take to treat emphysema. Avoiding secondhand smoke and places where you might breathe in other lung irritants Ask your health care provider for an eating plan that will meet your nutritional needs.
Also ask about how much physical activity you can do. Physical activity can strengthen the muscles that help you breathe and improve your overall wellness. Medicines , such as Bronchodilators, which relax the muscles around your airways.
This helps open your airways and makes breathing easier. Most bronchodilators are taken through an inhaler. In more severe cases, the inhaler may also contain steroids to reduce inflammation. Vaccines for the flu and pneumococcal pneumonia, since people with emphysema are at higher risk for serious problems from these diseases Antibiotics if you get a bacterial or viral lung infection Oxygen therapy , if you have severe emphysema and low levels of oxygen in your blood.
Oxygen therapy can help you breathe better. You may need extra oxygen all the time or only at certain times. Pulmonary rehabilitation , which is a program that helps improve the well-being of people who have chronic breathing problems. It may include An exercise program Disease management training Nutritional counseling Psychological counseling Surgery , usually as a last resort for people who have severe symptoms that have not gotten better with medicines.
There are surgeries to Remove damaged lung tissue Remove large air spaces bullae that can form when air sacs are destroyed. The bullae can interfere with breathing.
Do a lung transplant. This is might be an option if you have very severe emphysema. Can emphysema be prevented? Diagnosis and Tests. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately. According to the American Lung Association , 2 million adults 1. Rates were higher among males, non-Hispanic white people, and those over the age of 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.
Smoking leads to the death of more than , Americans a year, and 80 percent of those deaths are caused by COPD, including emphysema.
Exposure to secondhand smoke also increases your risk of developing emphysema. Various tests can detect emphysema, including:. These may include:. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease with medications, therapies, or surgeries. If you smoke, the first step in treating emphysema is to quit smoking. You may need medications to help you withdraw from nicotine. Consider discussing a cessation plan with your doctor. Pulmonary rehabilitation or moderate exercise such as walking can strengthen breathing muscles and alleviate symptoms, making it easier to breathe and be physically active.
Yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing exercises can also help relieve symptoms. Our service is free and we are here to help you. Emphysema is one of the most preventable respiratory illnesses because it is so strongly linked to smoking.
Air pollutants, an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and respiratory infections can also play a role, but smoking is considered the number one cause. Signs and symptoms of emphysema take years to develop, but once they start, they generally include shortness of breath, coughing with mucus, wheezing and chest tightness. Several tests are needed to diagnose emphysema including chest X-rays, pulse oximetry, spirometry and pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas test and electrocardiogram ECG.
Though emphysema cannot be cured, many treatments are available to help manage symptoms.
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