Emphysema:- Types, Causes & More

Breathlessness is a symptom of the lung disease emphysema. Alveoli, the lungs’ air sacs, suffer damage in those with emphysema. The air sacs’ inner walls deteriorate and tear over time, resulting in the creation of fewer, larger air gaps as opposed to more, smaller ones. As a result, less oxygen enters your bloodstream because of a reduction in lung surface area.

Old air becomes retained during exhalation because the injured alveoli are unable to function effectively, blocking the passageway for new, oxygen-rich air.

The majority of emphysema sufferers also have chronic bronchitis. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which deliver air to your lungs, results in chronic bronchitis, which causes a lingering cough.

Symptoms

This disease can be present for many years without any symptoms or indicators being present. Breathlessness is the primary symptom of emphysema, and it often develops gradually.

Because you might begin to avoid activities that make you feel out of breath, the symptom might not be a concern until it starts to interfere with everyday activities. Shortness of breath inevitably develops, even when you’re at rest.

Whenever to visit a doctor

If you’ve experienced unexplained shortness of breath for a while, especially if it’s growing worse or interfering with your normal activities, consult a doctor. Do not dismiss it by telling yourself that you are getting older or out of shape. Immediately seek medical help if

You’re so short of breath, you can’t climb stairs
Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray with exertion
You’re not mentally alert
Tightness in your chest.
Increased mucus production.
Abnormal mucus color (yellow or green).
Ongoing fatigue.
Heart problems.
Trouble sleeping.
Anxiety.
Depression.
Weight loss.
If you have emphysema, you also have an increased risk of pneumonia, bronchitis and other lung infections.

Causes

It is primarily brought on by chronic exposure to allergens in the air, such as:

cigarette smoke
Cannabis smog
air toxicity
Dust and chemical fumes

Rarely, a hereditary protein deficiency that protects the elastic lung structures causes this condition. Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema is the name given to it.

Risk Factors

Your risk of acquiring emphysema is influenced by the following factors:

Smoking. Smokers of cigars and pipes are also prone to developing emphysema, although cigarette smokers are more likely to do so. As smokers age and consume more tobacco, their chance of developing certain diseases rises.

Age. symptoms typically appear between the ages of 40 and 60, despite the fact that the lung damage that results from the disease develops gradually.

exposure to passive smoking Secondhand smoke, sometimes referred to as passive or environmental tobacco smoke, is smoke from another person’s cigarette, pipe, or cigar that you unintentionally breathe in. Your chance of developing emphysema increases when secondhand smoke is present.

exposure to dust or fumes at work. You are more prone to get emphysema if you breathe in chemical fumes, dust from grain, cotton, wood, or mining goods, or both. If you smoke, the danger is significantly higher.

exposure to pollution both indoors and outside. breathing both indoor and outdoor contaminants, such as car exhaust and fumes.

When I develop emphysema, what can I anticipate?

Your emphysema’s severity will determine what you can expect.

You have a better prognosis if you have mild emphysema. Even mild emphysema, though, can still have an impact on some of your skills, particularly if you’re 65 or older. Symptoms may arise while activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting ready.

Breathing is quite difficult if you have severe emphysema, and you might need regular medical assistance.

Emphysema doesn’t have a known treatment. Even if you stop smoking, the damage to your lungs won’t be able to be repaired. Emphysema can be slowed down with treatment, though. The sooner you begin emphysema treatment, the better your quality of life will be.

Complications

Emphysema patients are also more likely to experience:

lung collapsed (pneumothorax). People with severe emphysema may be at risk of dying from a collapsed lung because their lungs’ ability to function is already severely impaired. Although it doesn’t happen often, it can be dangerous.

Heart issues. The pressure in the arteries leading from the heart to the lungs may rise as a result of emphysema. Cor pulmonale, a condition where a portion of the heart enlarges and weakens, may result from this.

large lungs with holes (bullae). Bullae, which are lungs with empty gaps, form in some sufferers. They can be as big as one lung’s worth. Giant bullae can raise your chance of developing lung cancer in addition to decreasing the amount of lung expansion space available.

Prevention

To prevent emphysema, don’t smoke and avoid breathing secondhand smoke. Wear a mask to protect your lungs if you work with chemical fumes or dust.

Smita Verma

I’m a medical student and I acknowledge that people work on their profession and learn new things. prior to starting my blog. I examined an extraordinary arrangement from top readers and read lots of articles related to well beings and medical problems.