This is one of the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases that progressively damage the lung tissues particularly in the destruction of the air sacs (alveoli) which makes breathing difficult. Smoking is associated to be one of the causes of this condition and presents shortness of breath in people with exercise. Once this condition develops, it is not possible to reverse it, hence quitting smoking is essential.
Causes
The small air sacs known as alveoli are located at the bronchial tubes within the lungs. The alveoli stretch when filled with air which transports oxygen to the blood and shrinks releasing carbon-di-oxide out. When this condition develops, the alveoli and the lung tissue are damaged and as the result, the alveoli cannot support the bronchial tubes. When the tubes collapse, an obstruction occurs that tends to trap the air within the lungs. With the less quantity of alveoli, it means less oxygen reaches the bloodstream. This condition is usually caused by smoking and is one of the most preventable diseases of the respiratory system. Additional causes can include air pollutants, inherited factors and various respiratory infections that can contribute to developing this condition.
Symptoms
It is possible to have this condition for several years without noticing the symptoms. In most cases, only when 50% of the lung tissue has been damaged, the symptom becomes evident. The main symptoms are the shortness of breath with light exercise, increased production of mucus, fatigue, wheezing, a long-term cough and the feeling of not getting sufficient air. It is important to get medical help, particularly if the fingernails or lips turn blue or gray with exertion and not being mentally alert.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on a variety of tests such as chest x-ray which can detect the moderate or severe cases, pulse oximetry to determine the oxygen level in the blood, lung function tests to assess the quantity of air the lungs can hold along with measuring the efficiency of the lungs to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. In addition, an electrocardiogram (ECG) may be required to check the heart function and to rule out possible causes of a heart condition that can also present shortness of breath.
Treatment
There is no cure for this disease but the treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms and to slow the progression of the disease. Some of the medications include bronchodilators that can assist in providing relief to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath and inhaled steroids that can also relieve shortness of breath. Depending on the cases, antibiotics may be necessary to treat a bacterial infection like pneumonia. Additional treatments can include oxygen therapy, lung volume reduction surgery to remove small damaged lung tissue and a lung transplant is an option for the severe cases.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/treatment/con-20014218
http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/symptoms-causes-risk-factors/
https://medlineplus.gov/emphysema.html
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic-emphysema
