Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that is caused by damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Find natural treatment tips at salinetherapy.com to get escape from Emphysema.
2. Glossary
What is Emphysema
Lung Anatomy & Physiology
Lung Comparisons
What Are The Causes
WHO is the Risk
Symptoms of Emphysema
Diagnosis
Treatment
Worldwide Mortality Rate
3. What is Emphysema
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that is caused by damage to
the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
COPD for short.
COPD is generally a combination of Emphysema and Chronic
Bronchitis both with varying degrees.
It is a progressive disease of the lungs.
The alveoli (air sacs) are irreversibly damaged causing
breathing to become difficult.
There is no cure
4. LUNG ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
The function of the lungs is to Oxygenate our blood by
removing Carbon Dioxide and replacing it with Oxygen.
6. What Are The Causes
MOST COMMON
Smoking (#1 cause)
Prolonged exposure to second hand smoke
Chemical fumes
Dust
Air pollution
7.
8. WHO IS AT RISK?
Emphysema effects both men and women.
Usually does not appear until the sixties.
But the disease can appear as early as forty depending on
certain factors.
Any ethnic group can develop emphysema.
One exception is the inherited form that mainly effects
European Caucasians.
9. SYMPTOMS OF EMPHYSEMA
Coughing with or without phlegm
(sometimes referred to as “smokers cough”)
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Trouble catching one’s breath
Fatigue
Wheezing
Barrel- like distended chest
Lethargy or difficulty concentrating
Difficulty sleeping
10. DIAGNOSIS
Chest X – ray
Blood test
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Lung Function Test also called Pulmonary Function Test or PFT
(most common)
11. Treatment
STOP smoking (if you smoke)
Bronchodilators (inhalers)
Ex. Atrovent, Spiriva, Serevent, Foradil, and Albuterol
Anti-inflammatory medication
Ex. Singulair and Roflimulast
Antibiotics
Oxygen therapy
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Conserve energy, improve stamina, and reduce breathlessness
Surgery
Other things include
Avoid being around smoke and other irritants
Avoiding the cold