Emphysema

Emphysema is the lung condition which involves damage to the walls of the air sacs medically known as Alveoli. Alveoli are small, thin-walled and very fragile, located in clusters at the end of the bronchial tubes deep inside lungs. On average there are about 280-300 million alveoli in normal lungs, they play the most vital role in the respiratory process. It is where the interchange of oxygen and carbon-di-oxide takes place. Both chronic bronchitis and Emphysema fall into the sect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The term ‘obstructive’ is used as they both hinder the smooth interchange of oxygen and carbon-di-oxide in the lungs causing shortness of breath. The major cause of Emphysema is smoking; a person can develop Emphysema after many years of inhaling polluted air.  

Emphysema Causes

Most of the Emphysema patients have been found related to smoking in some sort or another, over the years. Air pollutants in-home or work-space, genetic factors and other respiratory infections also play a part in causing Emphysema. Statistics show that over 3 million people have been diagnosed with Emphysema in the US, and more than 11 million people have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Emphysema is one of the most preventable diseases as it relates to smoking; an early halt to smoking can prevent Emphysema. Cigarettes also destroy the lung tissues and also block the airways, causing inflammation. As the lung swells up, the amount of exchanged air is reduced, causing obstruction in breathing. Also, the bronchioles over-inflate due to the inflammation of the lungs, the diaphragm gets compressed.

Other Risk Factors Involved for Emphysema include the Following:

• Continuous exposure to high pollution chemical irritants and lung pollutants

• A genetic condition produced due to deficiency of alpha-1 deficiency that can lead to a rare form of Emphysema called alpha-1 deficiency related Emphysema.

• History of repeated childhood infections of the respiratory system

• A weak immune system especially in children suffering from other immunocompromised conditions

• Suffering from rare disorders such as Marfan Syndrome

Emphysema Symptoms 

There are some key symptoms of Emphysema that necessitates a thorough diagnosis. Such Emphysema symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, inflated chest, chest tightness, excessive mucus production. Emphysema symptoms can be misunderstood as a minor ailment. Some of the other symptoms include- 

• You may feel shortness of breath while working out, even during light exercise.

• There may be a continuous feeling of not getting enough air.

• Fatigue

• Excessive mucus production.

• Coughing, especially experiencing smoker’s cough

• Your chest may look rounded or inflated

• Coughing up stained phlegm, usually yellow or red in color.

• Weight loss

• Difficulty sleeping

Types of Emphysema

There are three types of Emphysema - Centriacinar Emphysema, panacinar Emphysema and paraseptal Emphysema.

• Centriacinar Emphysema- In this condition, the alveoli and airways of the central acinus are affected. The respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts are destroyed.

• Panacinar Emphysema- Panacinar Emphysema damages the whole acinus.

• Paraseptal Emphysema- In this condition patients are known to acquire the pulmonary bullous disease.

Stages of Emphysema

The stages of Emphysema are based on different factors such as airflow limitation, symptoms, and exacerbations. A breathing test can be done to measure lung capacity. The test helps to know the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

The stages of Emphysema are given based on FEV1:

Stage 1 or Very Mild Stage: FEV1 is about 80% of normal.

Stage 2 or Moderate: FEV1 is 50-80% of normal.

Stage 3 or Severe: FEV1 is 30-50% of normal.

Stage 4 or Very Severe: FEV1 is less than 30% of normal.

The stages only help to determine the condition of the person but it cannot help to predict for how long a person can survive. Doctors can prescribe other tests and diagnostic procedures to find out more about the severity of the person’s condition.

Emphysema Diagnostic Procedures and Prevention

Emphysema falls under the COPD umbrella, and this cannot be cured, but if diagnosed, treatments can help to slow the progression of the disease. As the disease is mostly caused by smoking, it can be prevented beforehand by simply giving up on the whole idea of smoking cigarettes. In the case of polluted air in the work-space, wearing a mask can benefit hugely. Bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, antibiotics are some of the treatments that doctors suggest to Emphysema patients. There are also some therapeutic procedures, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition therapy, or supplemental oxygen. Depending on the severity of Emphysema, one may have to go under surgery. Lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplantation are viable options. Physiotherapy can also help in increasing the exercise capacity, mobility and self-confidence of Emphysema patients. 

Did You know?

Statistics show that over 3 million people have been diagnosed with Emphysema in the US, and more than 11 million people have COPD. People between the ages of 50-70 are most common Emphysema patients. Though deadly, this disease can be prevented as it is linked to smoking. Around 480,000 people are killed each year in the US for smoking. And 80% of those deaths are due to COPD, which includes Emphysema.

Solved Examples

1. What are the Emphysema Symptoms?

Ans: There are some key symptoms of Emphysema that necessitates a thorough diagnosis. Such symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, inflated chest, chest tightness, excessive mucus production.

2. What are the types of Emphysema and describe them in short?

Ans: There are three types of Emphysema- Centriacinar Emphysema, panacinar Emphysema and paraseptal Emphysema. In Centriacinar Emphysema the alveoli and airways of the central acinus are affected while Panacinar Emphysema affects the whole central acinus. Paraseptal Emphysema is the third type of this lung condition which leads to various pulmonary diseases. 

3. Give some tips to manage Emphysema.

Ans: A few tips are given here that can help people to manage the symptoms of Emphysema and prevent further complications:

• Wash your hands regularly before eating food

• Brush and floss your teeth two times a day and rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouth rinse after meals.

• Keep the breathing equipment clean

• Use a vacuum clear to keep your house clean and free from dust 

• Get a flu shot every year to prevent allergic reactions

• Use the treatment and medicines suggested by your doctor

• Avoid irritants such as vehicle fumes, cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, dust, pollen, pet dander, etc.