Emphysema :-
This is a lung condition that give rise to shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are harm. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture and create larger air spaces inspite of many tiny ones. This lesser the surface area of the lungs and, in turn, the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream.When you exhale, the damaged alveoli does not work properly and old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air to enter.
Most of the people with emphysema also have chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the tubes that take air to your lungs (bronchial tubes), which cause a persistent cough.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two conditions that make up chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking is the main cause of COPD. Treatment may slow the processes of COPD, but it can not reverse the damage.
Emphysema Symptoms :-
You can have emphysema for many years without observing any signs or symptoms. The important symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath, which normally starts slowly.You may begin avoiding activities that lead you to be short of breath, so the symptom does not become a trouble until it starts to get in a way with daily tasks. In the end, emphysema give rise to shortness of breath even while you are resting.
When to See a Doctor :-
See your doctor if you have had unexplained shortness of breath for many months, mostly if it is getting worse or it is getting in your way with your daily activities. Do not ignore it by telling yourself it is because you are old or out of shape. See for immediate medical attention if :• You are having short of breath, when you are climbing stairs,
• Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray with exertion l,
• You are not mentally alert.
Causes :
The main reason for the cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, including:
• Tobacco smoke,
• Marijuana smoke,
• Air pollution,
• Chemical fumes and dust.
Rarely, emphysema is leaded by an inherited deficiency of a protein that take care of the elastic structures in the lungs. It is also called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.
Risk Factors :-
Factors that grow your risk of developing emphysema involve :• Smoking -
Emphysema is most probable to develop in cigarette smokers, but cigar and pipe smokers are also susceptible. The risk for all types of smokers grow with the number of years and amount of tobacco smoked.
• Age -
Although the lung damage that take place in emphysema develops slowly, most people with tobacco-related emphysema starts to undergo symptoms of the disease between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke, also called passive or environmental tobacco smoke, is smoke that you inadvertently inhale from someone else's cigarette, pipe or cigar. Being around secondhand smoke develop your risk of emphysema.
• Occupational exposure to fumes or dust -
If you breathe fumes from particular chemicals or dust from grain, cotton, wood or mining products, you are more probablely to develop emphysema. This risk is even greater if you smoke.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution -
Breathing indoor pollutants, like fumes from heating fuel, as well as outdoor pollutants car exhaust, for instance develop your risk of emphysema.
Complications :-
People who have emphysema are also more probablely to develop :• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) -
A collapsed lung can be life-threatening in people who have critical emphysema, because the function of their lungs is already so compromised. This is unusual but serious when it develop.
• Heart problems -
Emphysema can grow the pressure in the arteries that connect the heart and lungs. This can lead to a condition known as cor pulmonale, in which a section of the heart enlarged and weakens.
• Large holes in the lungs (bullae) -
Some people with emphysema grow empty spaces in the lungs known as bullae. They may be as big as half the lung. In addition to decreasing the amount of space available for the lung to enlarged giant bullae can grow your risk of pneumothorax.