Emphysema
Emphysema is difficulty breathing due to air trapped in the lung, resulting in reduced lung capacity. Smoking is usually the cause, as it damages the linings of the air sacs in the lungs making them close. This leads to areas of trapped air in your lungs. Other causes may include coal dust and other pollutants. Your lungs enlarge to compensate, but there are limits to this.
Treatment may be medical and include oxygen support, medication and respiratory therapy. Of course stopping smoking is always recommended. Surgical treatment by cutting out damaged portions of the lungs and reducing lung volume is also effective.
Recently Answered
- Q What is pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) in babies?
-
Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) occurs when pressure from a ventilator causes air to leak from the lungs, creating tiny air bubbles that become trapped between layers of lung tissue. It usually gets better as your baby’s lungs improve and... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What increases my risk for emphysema?
-
The number one risk factor in developing emphysema is smoking. You can greatly reduce your risk of developing the disease if you quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. If you are a smoker, your risk increases with age. The older you are and the longer... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q What types of jobs increase my risk for emphysema?
-
Any job that exposes you to harsh airborne chemicals can increase your risk for developing emphysema. Two examples are miners and furnace workers. Both jobs require employees to inhale toxic fumes on a daily basis. Similarly, cooks who are exposed to... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What is an emphysematous bleb?
-
Dr. Howard LeWine, Internal MedicineThe lung contains many millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. These air sacs have a thin, fragile lining that lies next to very tiny blood vessels (capillaries). As we breathe in, oxygen moves from the alveoli into the blood in the capillaries. At the... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What should be the FITT principle for someone having emphysema?
-
Dr. Dean Ornish, Internal MedicinePeople with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be screened by a pulmonary specialist before beginning an exercise program. They should develop an exercise program with their physician, one that will probably follow the following FITT... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Should I join a support group for people with emphysema?
-
Emphysema can be an incredibly frustrating disease. It may prevent you from doing things you love, and it might be difficult for your loved ones to understand what you're going through. You may find it helpful to join a support group for people who are... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How can I care for someone with emphysema?
-
Your responsibilities as a caregiver for someone with emphysema will depend on the severity of the condition. People who catch their emphysema early enough may not need any help. Those with more severe cases, on the other hand, may be very dependent on... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How do other illnesses affect emphysema?
-
There are a number of illnesses that may affect your emphysema by making symptoms worse. The flu, pneumonia, and bacterial infections can all lead to further blockage of your airways and cause complications related to your emphysema. To avoid these... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Does emphysema get worse over time?
-
If emphysema is left untreated, it will get progressively worse over time. Eventually, it may lead to a serious condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. On the other... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Can children have emphysema?
-
While rare, emphysema can develop in children. In most cases, emphysema takes years to develop, usually as the result of smoking. However, in some cases, the disease is caused by a lack of alpha1-antitrypsin protein, which protects your alveoli from... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
