Emphysema-Symptoms, causes, risk factors and treatment

What is Emphysema?  

 Emphysema is a disease of lower respiratory tract that mainly affects the lungs, in particular the alveoli of the lungs. It is grouped under the major disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. 

 It is characterized by coughing and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses,it can show other severe symptoms such as chest tightness,chest pain and altered blood oxygen levels,cyanosis,etc.  

Smoking and middle age are the common known risk factors of emphysema. 

See also : Asthma 

What are alveoli? Let us understand it in simpler words. 

•  Alveoli are the part of the lungs.
•  These are tiny air sacs with elastic walls. 
•  Alveoli are the main site of gas-exchange in the lungs. 
•  Oxygen from the air we inhale is transported to the blood via alveoli. these tiny air sacs expand or stretch when we inhale. As our lungs inhale the air, they expand. This fills up the alveoli with air where the gaseous exchange takes place. When we exhale, the alveoli force out the carbon dioxide out of the lungs. this maintains the pH of the blood.

What happens to alveoli in emphysema?

• Damage to the alveoli leads to the incomplete air exchange and the air inhaled remains trapped inside.  This blocks the entry of the fresh air within. 
• The air-filled spaces within the alveoli are called pneumatoses and they cause the alevolar wall damage thus reducing the net alveolar surface for gas exchange function. .
• Inflammation of the bronchi is called bronchitis.   They are the tubular structure extending down the trachea entering the lungs through the hilum . Emphysema may occur along with chronic bronchitis.  
• Once the lung tissues in the alveoli lose elasticity, the damages are irreversible and the symptoms may be treated to get relief
• Emphysema may be a major risk factor for lung cancer in smokers. 

What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema?

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  The symptoms are often go unnoticed as the disease progresses very slowly and gradually over time.  The person having symptoms may not be aware about the disease, even if it is present.  

The common symptoms are coughing and shortness of breath. A person may feel short of breath on walking or climbing steps.  

Other key symptoms of emphysema can be:

• Fatigue on exertion
• Whistling sound on breathing, also called wheezing( a key symptom of Asthma)
• Cyanosis or bluish discoloration of the lips and nails
• Sputum while coughing
• Shortness of breath even at rest during later phases. 

These symptoms may continue for a long period and may not be diagnosed until it gets complicated.

What are the causes of emphysema?

Emphysema is a lower respiratory tract disease which means it has been triggered to develop by some risk factors over time.

The major known causes of Emphysema are:

• Genetics
• Long term tobacco smoking
• Overexposure to the air-pollutants
• Dust and fumes 

What are the main risk factors of emphysema?

Emphysema can be caused by many risk factors. They can be: 

• Age and gender : It is common in males than females and in middle aged persons than the young ones.
• Smoking: any form of smoking, active or passive may act as a risk factor of emphysema
• Occupation: People working in factories where there is more dust and fumes or chemical irritants present in the air are at high risk of getting emphysema
• Pollution: Air pollution is the major risk factor and cause of emphysema
• Genetics: It is not clear how genetics plays a major role as a cause and risk factor of emphysema.  but it is said it can be a risk factor. A person with family history of emphysema may be at risk
• Past medical history of COPD:  A person having COPD in the past may have recurrences and this may put him at risk of developing emphysema after a long term.

How is emphysema diagnosed?

Emphysema can be diagnosed by physical assessment of symptoms, performing various tests such as Chest X-ray, CT of the chest, MRI of the chest, pulseoximetry tests, blood gas levels tests, spirometry, etc. 

What is the treatment of emphysema?

Emphysema has no cure as such. The only treatment plan is to relieve the symptoms and stop further damage to the lungs or other complications.

Treatment of emphysema includes the following aspects: Quitting tobacco smoking is advised to the patient and he is explained how it can help to slow the progression of emphysema. 

• Bronchodilators are given to facilitate the expansion of the airways to ease the breathing. 
• Antibiotics are given to prevent or treat any infections 
• Use of steroid injections, aerosol sprays can help relieve the symptoms
• Oxygen therapy is provided to supplement the oxygen demand of the body 
• Protein therapy is provided to supplement the deficiency of the alpha tryspin protein.
• Physical therapy of lungs: various breathing exercises and techniques are recommended to improve the lung's efficiency.
• Surgery: Surgery is the final option that may be used to treat emphysema. It can be a lobectomy or lung transplant depending upon the extent of lung damage.

Is emphysema a preventable disease?

Emphysema is a lung disease that occurs slowly and gradually when the person gets predisposed to the risk factors and causes for a long term.  The disease itself cannot be cured but it is possible to prevent the disease and maintain the health of your lungs. 

Prevention of emphysema:

• Quit smoking. Quit tobacco.
• Save yourselves from passive smoking.
• Do not expose yourself to the air pollutants if possible.
• Wear face masks when working at the places that release air pollutants such as chemical fumes or smoke.
• Get your vaccine shots for flu and other common respiratory infections to stay safe
• Eat a well balanced diet. 
• Add protein-rich sources to your diet. 

What are some helpful tips to manage emphysema at home?

Emphysema is incurable, however with correct home management and care,one can definitely improve the quality of life by reducing the progression of disease.

These can be some helpful tips for emphysema for home care: 

• Focus on preventing any further respiratory infections. 
• Stay strict no to smoke and dust.
• Always practice good hand hygiene. 
• Maintain the house cleanliness and ensure it is free from dust or any allergen that can trigger coughing. 
• Keep the room well-ventilated such that's ample space for the fresh air to circulate.
• Get your vaccines as per the scheduled time.
• Maintain the oral hygiene to prevent oral infections 
• Keep yourself away from any dust, chemical irritants and smoke.
• Ensure the cleanliness of your breathing equipment. Clean it as recommended and advised.
• Take regular medications and continue the regimen even if you start feeling better.
• Do pranayama as ordered by your Yoga expert.
• Meditation and deep breathing as advised by your physical therapist.

Emphysema is a lower respiratory tract disease with symptoms such as smoker's cough and shortness of breath. It is a preventable disease and can be managed with home care and medical treatment, though the treatment course may be long.

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.