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Emphysema - Emphysema symptom, treatment, causes

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive lung disease. Emphysema usually affects older people as it is due to culmulative damage over a long period, such as a lifetime of smoking. Unlike asthma, which occurs when the muscles in your airways tighten, emphysema causes a loss of elasticity in the walls of the small air sacs in your lungs. Emphysema is often caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or long-term exposure to tobacco smoke. Emphysema is called an obstructive lung disease because the destruction of lung tissue around smaller airways, called bronchioles, makes these airways unable to hold their shape properly when you exhale. In people with emphysema, the lung tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lung are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Emphysema is defined as abnormal permanent enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by the destruction of the walls and without obvious fibrosis. Smoking is the principle cause of the disease in the UK, although a career in certain industries, such as mining, also appears to increase the risk of contracting the disease. People with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are at an increased risk for this disease.

Emphysema is a major health concern worldwide. The direct cause of this damage appears to be a family of proteins referred to as proteolytic enzymes. Experts believe the process leading to emphysema is mostly due to an imbalance in chemicals that protect the lungs from infection and damage. Any condition that causes an imbalance in these substances may trigger emphysema. Currently, emphysema cannot be cured, although radical surgical methods have been tried with some success. In emphysema, the patient can breathe in but breating out is difficult and inefficient. Some patients with emphysema may also have black lung disease. The seriousness of emphysema varies greatly. A person with emphysema may feel short of breath during exertion and, as the disease progresses, even while at rest. Emphysema is an irreversible degenerative condition. The most important measure that can be taken to slow the progression of emphysema is for the patient to stop smoking and avoid all exposure to cigarette smoke and lung irritants. Emphysema is also treated by supporting the breathing with anticholinergics, bronchodilators and (inhaled or oral) steroid medication, and supplemental oxygen as required.

Emphysema is an irreversible lung disease in which there is progressive destruction and overdistension of the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs). This reduces the surface area of lung tissue available for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, increases resistance to the flow of blood into the lungs from the heart, and reduces breathing capacity because the lungs loseelasticity.

Cause of Emphysema

Emphysema is caused by the breakdown of the alveolar walls by enzymes released during chronic low-grade inflammation, within the lungs. The inflammation may result from long-term irritation by cigarette smoke (the most common cause), or other irritants in the air breathed in, or persistentor recurrent infection associated with chronic BRONCHITIS. Congenital deficiency ci alpharantitrypsin, an enzyme that helps to protect the alveolar walls against breakdown by other enzymes, is a rare cause. The tendency to emphysema is increased in any condition, such as chronic ASTHMA orbronchitis, that makes breathing out difficult. The common causes and risk factor's of Emphysema include the following:

• Exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Breathing in industrial pollutants.
• Cigarette smoke is by far the most common cause of emphysema.
• Low levels of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin.
• Smokers living with HIV are at greater risk of emphysema.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution.

Symptoms of Emphysema

Symptoms usually develop slowly, shortness of breath, gradually worsening, is often the first warning. At first breathlessness may be noticed only on heavy exertion, but as the disease progresses sufferers become short of breath on slight exertion and eventually at rest. Associated symptoms include a cough with sputum; a bluish tingeto the skin, lips and mouth lining; BINGOFFINGERS development of a barrel-shaped chest; and symptoms from complications such as frequent chestinfections and right-sided HEARTFAILURE. Some sign and symptoms related to Emphysema are as follows:

• Shortness of breath.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Chronic, mild cough.
• Wheezing.
• Decreased ability to exercise.
• Fatigue.
• Weak bones that break easily.
• Swollen ankles.

Treament of Emphysema

There is no cure for emphysema, thoughits progress may be slowed and respiratory function improved by BRONCHODILATOR DRUGS, breathing exercises, measures to help get rid of sputum, and the removal of aggravating factors suchas smoking. Breathing oxygen through a mask may be needed in advanced cases. Equipment is available for home use. Here is list of the methods to treat Emphysema:

• Bronchodilating medications: These medications, which cause the air passages to open more fully and allow better air exchange, are usually the first medications that a doctor will prescribe for emphysema.
• Antibiotics are often prescribed for people with emphysema who have increased shortness of breath.
• If you have shortness of breath and go to a hospital's emergency department, you often are given oxygen.
• People with inherited emphysema due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can receive alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI), which slows lung tissue destruction.
• Lung transplantation is an option for patients with severe disease.