Emphysema

emphysema

What is Emphysema?

Emphysema is primarily a pathological diagnosis that affects the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole. It is characterized by abnormal permanent enlargement of lung air spaces with the destruction of their walls without any fibrosis and destruction of lung parenchyma with loss of elasticity

  • Breathlessness with exertion, and eventually breathlessness most of the time in advanced disease
  • Susceptibility to chest infections
  • Cough with phlegm production
  • Fatigue
  • Barrel-shaped chest (from expansion of the ribcage in order to accommodate enlarged lungs)
  • Respiratory insufficiency or failure
  • Pneumonia
  • Pneumothorax
  • Chronic atelectasis
  • Cor pulmonale
  • Interstitial emphysema
  • Recurrent respiratory tract infections
  • Respiratory acidosis, hypoxia, and coma

Emphysema is generally caused by cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to certain industrial pollutants or dusts. A small percentage of cases are caused by a familial or genetic disorder, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Can emphysema be prevented? Since smoking causes most cases of emphysema, the best way to prevent it is to not smoke. It's also important to try to avoid lung irritants such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dusts

  • Smoking. This is the main risk factor.
  • Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes and dusts from the environment or workplace.
  • Age.
  • Genetics.

How is it diagnosed?

How is it diagnosed?
  • Avoiding other air pollutants
  • Respiratory (pulmonary) rehabilitation programs
  • Oxygen treatment, in advanced cases
  • Medications such as
  • Stress management techniques

How is it treated?

Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia is vital. It varies with the patient and stage of the disease. Treatment options include

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) is a surgery to help people with severe emphysema affecting the upper lung lobes. LVRS is not a cure for COPD but may improve your exercise capacity and quality of life. The goal of the surgery is to remove about 30 percent of the most diseased lung tissue

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