Emphysema

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have trouble breathing during exercise.

The most common cause is cigarette smoking. If you smoke, quitting can help prevent you from getting the disease. If you already have emphysema, not smoking might keep it from getting worse. Treatment is based on whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. Treatments include inhalers, oxygen, medications and sometimes surgery to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Emphysema on Wikipedia

'''Emphysema''' is a chronic disease lung disease. It is often caused by exposure to toxin chemicals or long-term exposure to tobacco smoking.

Signs and symptoms

Emphysema is characterised by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue; destruction of structures supporting the alveoli; and destruction of capillaries feeding the alveoli. The result is that the small airways collapse during expiration, leading to an obstructive form of lung disease (air is trapped in the lungs in obstructive lung diseases). Features are: shortness of breath on exertion--particularly when climbing stairs or inclines (and later at rest), hyperventilation and an expanded chest. As emphysema progresses, clubbing of the fingers may be observed, a feature of longstanding hypoxia. Emphysema patients are sometimes referred to as "pink puffers". This is because emphysema sufferers may hyperventilate to maintain adequate blood oxygen levels. Hyperventilation explains why emphysema patients do not appear cyanotic as chronic bronchitis (another COPD disorder) sufferers often do; hence they are "pink" puffers (adequate oxygen levels in the blood) and not "blue" bloaters (cyanosis; inadequate oxygen in the blood).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is by spirometry (lung function testing), including gas exchange. Other investigations might include X-rays, high resolution spiral chest CT-scan, bronchoscopy (when other lung disease is suspected, including malignancy), blood tests, pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas sampling.

Pathophysiology

The scientific definition of emphysema is: :"Permanent destructive enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles without obvious fibrosis". Hence, the definite diagnosis is made by a pathology. However, we can easily ascertain clinical diagnosis by history, clinical examination, chest radiography and lung function ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

CNN: Johnny Carson, late-night TV legend, dead at 79 - Obituary about the former host of the Tonight Show who passed away from emphysema. Includes highlights from his lengthy career in show business.

Buteyko Method - The training video teaches a healthy, drug-free way to manage asthma symptoms, bronchitis, emphysema and other breathing problems.

National Jewish Medical and Research Center - Devoted entirely to respiratory, allergic and immune system diseases, including asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, severe allergies, AIDS, cancer and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus in Denver, CO.

Ultrasonic Nebulizers - Offers asthma, bronchitis, copd and emphysema respiratory system therapy nebulizers online.

University of Iowa Family Practice Handbook - A detailed description of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

COPD Center - Information about therapy for emphysema and lung volume reduction and pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Pulmonary Center - Over 700 health topics for COPD and emphysema patients.

Emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Detailed definition of this disorder with a look at the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, complications and treatment.

Department of Veterans' Affairs - Information on chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema and death from chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.