Emphysema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Definition
What is emphysema?
Emphysema is a lung disease that causes shortness of breath making it difficult for a person to breathe. This disease is one of the most common forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Emphysema is a condition that does not occur suddenly. That means existing lung damage has been occurring over the years, slowly. People with emphysema have damage to the walls of the air sacs (alveoli). The part of the lung that has been damaged cannot return to its previous healthy state.
The alveoli are small air-filled sacs located at the ends of the bronchial tubes (small airways). Its function is a place of exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen. This section has very thin walls that are very brittle.
Healthy people have about 300 million alveoli in the lungs. Unfortunately, when you have emphysema, the alveolar tissue is slowly destroyed. This damage can cause blockage (obstruction). The blockage is in the form of air trapped in the lungs.
The number of healthy alveoli continues to decrease, the oxygen that is circulated into the blood is also very little and insufficient.
Until now, there is no cure for this damaged alveoli. However, you can prevent this so that the damage does not get worse.
How common is this condition?
Emphysema is a very common disease in people who have a smoking habit. Usually in people aged 50-70 years.
If you have a smoking habit and risk factors for this disease, talk to your doctor about your lung health.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema?
The symptoms of this disease are very diverse. The symptoms you feel may be different from those of others.
Some of the common symptoms of emphysema include:
1. Shortness of breath
In the medical world, shortness of breath is also known as dyspnea. Apart from being recognized as a feature of COPD, shortness of breath is also a characteristic symptom of emphysema. This condition refers more to the sensation of shortness of breath. This causes a person to have a slower or deeper, but shallower, breathing rate.
2. Breathe fast
This condition is different from dyspnea. Rapid breathing is known in medical terms as tachypnea.
This occurs because the level of oxygen in the blood is too low, thus stimulating a person to breathe faster to meet oxygen needs.
3. Continuous coughing and wheezing
One of the symptoms that appear when you have emphysema is having a long-term cough. You can cough up phlegm or not.
This condition is an early symptom of alveoli damage due to increased mucus production. That is why the body exerts its natural reflex by coughing.
In addition, people with this condition also experience wheezing. Wheezing is a sound that comes out when you breathe, sometimes like a soft whistle. Wheezing occurs due to narrowing of the airways that carry air.
4. Weak
Most people with this disease will feel their body weak. This is because oxygen intake is not fulfilled. As a result, they will tend to reduce their activity little by little from day to day because their energy continues to decrease.
5. Decreased appetite
People with emphysema usually also experience decreased appetite. When chewing or swallowing, they choke easily. This causes a person to have no appetite for food and his weight will continue to decrease.
6. Have barrel chest
Apart from the symptoms experienced by the patient, this type of COPD also changes the appearance of your body, especially the chest. People with this condition usually have barrel chest, that is, the chest looks prominent and round. This is a symptom of advanced emphysema.
7. Disturbed sleep
All of the aforementioned symptoms, especially shortness of breath, are very disruptive to sleep. To breathe more freely while sleeping, you may need more pillows for support.
If this sleep disturbance continues, sleep time will decrease. As a result, they wake up exhausted and sometimes feel dizzy.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
Lung problems should be treated by a doctor. The reason is, this organ is your main tool for breathing. Visit a doctor in less than 24 hours, if you have health problems, such as:
- Shortness of breath kept getting worse
- You need lots of pillows while sleeping so you can breathe freely
- Breathing feels very heavy and makes you tired
- Wake up with shallow breaths more than once a night
- Frequent coughing or wheezing and feeling lightheaded in the morning
You should get hospital care, if you have any of the following conditions.
- You experience shortness of breath for several months and the condition worsens, holding you back from your daily activities
- There are bluish or gray colored areas on the skin of the lips or nails
- It’s easy to lose focus or you can’t stay mentally alert
If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone’s body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
Cause
What causes emphysema?
Similar to the causes of COPD, one of the reasons a person can develop emphysema is excessive exposure to chemical irritants, such as cigarette smoke. In addition, long-term exposure to air pollution and hazards in the work environment can also trigger this condition.
At first, your lungs may become inflamed as a result of frequent exposure. As a result, the lungs will lose their elasticity, narrowing the airways and blocking the flow of incoming air. That’s when emphysema occurs.
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, smoking is the main cause of almost all lung diseases, including emphysema. Another factor that may also be the cause of this disease is genetic, although in fact it is quite rare.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for emphysema?
Usually, this disease is experienced by people who have smoked for a long time. That is why, this disease is usually diagnosed successfully or only in middle age or elderly. Not only men, women also have the potential to have this disease.
Several risk factors for emphysema include:
- Smoke.
According to reports from Surgeon General’s Office of the Department of Health and Human Services, smokers increased their risk of developing emphysema by 13 times. In fact, second-hand smoke is also at risk for this condition. - Age.
With age, all organs in the body will experience a decline in function, including the lungs. That is why, this condition is found in people aged 40 years and over. - Exposure to fumes and industrial chemicals.
Just like cigarette smoke, pollution and smoke and industrial chemicals that are inhaled continuously can irritate the lungs.
Complications
What are the complications of emphysema?
People with this lung disease should get treatment sooner to prevent further lung damage. If not, several complications can occur, including:
- Pneumothorax. Pneumothorax is characterized by the presence of air between the lungs and the chest wall. This air can press on the lungs so that they shrink in size.
- Heart problems. This damage to the lungs can increase the pressure on the arteries that connect the heart to the lungs. As a result, certain areas of the heart will become weaker.
- Big hole in the lung (bullae). The formation of an empty space in the lungs called bullae. They can be as big as half a lung. In addition to reducing the amount of space available to expand, giant bullae can increase your risk of pneumothorax.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are the treatment options for emphysema?
Emphysema disease is progressive. That means, it will continue to get worse over time if not treated and complications prevented.
If lung damage occurs, what can be done is to prevent the damage from getting bigger. You cannot cure it completely.
Your doctor will determine the treatment for emphysema depending on how severe the disease you have. Some possible emphysema treatments include:
1. Stop smoking
Like COPD treatment, quitting smoking is part of treating emphysema. It’s not just a lifestyle anymore. The reason is that if this bad habit continues, the irritated lungs will get worse and continue to spread.
Although it is not easy, you must stop this habit immediately. Quitting smoking can also be a measure to prevent COPD and emphysema. Ask your doctor for help if you have trouble breaking this bad habit.
2. Take medicine
Medicines that are usually given by doctors to treat lung disease include bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics. These drugs work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, relieving symptoms of cough and shortness of breath, and preventing bacterial infection of the irritated parts of the lungs.
3. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is usually recommended for patients whose lungs are not getting enough oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia). Patients with this condition are unable to get air normally, so they need to get additional air through a machine in the form of a nasal catheter or mask.
4. Lung volume reduction surgery
This operation aims to remove some of the damaged lung tissue. The cuts are then combined with other remaining tissue and are still healthy.
That way, the pressure on the lung muscles will decrease and the elasticity of the lungs will increase. Surgery is very effective, it’s just that not all patients are recommended to do this procedure.
What are the usual tests for this condition?
Your doctor may want to ask about your medical history, if you have ever smoked, or if you live or work in a polluted environment.
In addition, several medical tests will be performed to diagnose emphysema, including:
- Oximetry test
- Pulmonary function tests
- Imaging tests (chest x-ray or CT scan)
- Complete blood count
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat emphysema?
Even if it can’t be cured, you can still live a healthy life. Some lifestyle changes that can help improve the quality of life for people with emphysema include:
1. Routinely take medication
The key to relieving symptoms and preventing complications and emphysema apart from smoking is following medication. Schedule regular visits, record health developments during treatment, and consult the effectiveness of certain drugs on your body’s health.
2. Vaccinations
The part of the lung that has been irritated is very susceptible to infection from bacteria. To prevent bacterial infection, your doctor may recommend that you get the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. This provides double protection to your lungs.
3. Sports
Even though the activities you do are quite limited, you still need to do sports. It’s just that, the choice of type of exercise and its intensity must be light, such as swimming or brisk walking.
Not only improves fitness, this method also helps improve lung function. Before doing the exercises, consult your doctor first.
4. Eat nutritious foods
Even if this disease makes you lazy to eat, you still have to push yourself. Healthy nutrition from eating, not only helps maintain the health of your lungs, but also as a source of energy.
5. Overcome anxiety and depression
This condition often causes patients to experience anxiety and depression. Joining a group that has similar problems can also help overcome this condition.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
