Emphysema is a complicated lung condition that falls into a larger category of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As with all COPD conditions, you’ll have trouble breathing when you have emphysema. It’s a lung condition where the walls of your alveoli, the air sacs in your lungs, get damaged and have trouble transporting oxygen.
Essentially, these air sacs get damaged and rupture, resulting in a series of tiny air sacs. This, in turn, results in less lung space for oxygen, leading to inadequate oxygen supplies to vital parts of the body. Emphysema is a serious condition and requires quick diagnosis and treatment to fix your lungs and restore adequate oxygen supplies to your body.
Because emphysema is an obstructive pulmonary disorder, its side effects will directly affect your lungs. Therefore, most of the signs and symptoms you’ll experience will have to do with your breathing. Here’s what to look for.
Emphysema typically progresses slowly and takes time to develop. Therefore, your symptoms will also start slowly and worsen as your condition progresses. It’s important to seek medical assistance at the first indication of emphysema.
Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema in South Africa and worldwide. Smoking has harmful chemicals and toxins that enter your lungs and break down the alveoli, leading to emphysema. In addition to smoking, here are a few other causes and risk factors that can lead to emphysema.
Your job can significantly increase your risk of emphysema. If you have a job where you work near and inhale chemicals and toxins frequently, there’s a higher chance you’ll get emphysema. These jobs include heating and cooling, insulation, painting, staining, and similar occupations.
Air pollution is also a leading cause of emphysema.
Dust isn’t as big a risk factor for emphysema, but inhaling enough can cause problems.
Emphysema is also more common in obese people and those over 40. However, anyone can get emphysema if they inhale enough harmful toxins.
There are several things your doctor will do when diagnosing emphysema. First, they will take a thorough history to determine whether or not you’ve been exposed to things that can lead to emphysema. Next, they’ll use several different diagnostic tests.
Imaging tests such as x-rays and CT scans to get a clearer look at your lungs and their physical structure.
Lung functioning tests, such as a spirometry test to determine your lung capacity.
A blood draw to determine how much oxygen is in your bloodstream.
An electrocardiogram to determine how well your heart is functioning.
Depending on the results from these tests, specifically the spirometer, x-rays, and your symptoms, your doctor can diagnose whether or not you have emphysema.
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for emphysema, and you can’t reverse the damage to your lungs. However, with proper treatment and management, you can prevent emphysema from getting worse and live a relatively normal life. Here are some of the best treatment options for people with emphysema.
Medications, such as steroids, bronchodilators, and antibiotics, can help protect your lungs, aid your breathing, and ease the symptoms of emphysema.
Physical and nutritional therapy can help restore your lung capacity.
No matter what other treatments you receive, it’s vital to make whatever changes are necessary to avoid the toxin that caused your emphysema. Inhaling smoke, dust, toxins, and chemicals will worsen your condition and symptoms.
You may require a lung reduction surgery or lung transplant if you have severe and advanced emphysema.
The sooner you catch your emphysema, the better your outlook and chances of survival.