Smoking can led you to Emphysema

Oct 07, 2014 Ruchira Dhoke Lifestyle & Health, Men’s health 0

Emphysema is one of several diseases which come under the collage of diseases known collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).It is mainly caused due to cigarette smoking, air pollution, work hazards, and lung infections.

Cigarette smoking is the most important of these factors.

Cigarette smoking alters the structure and function of the lungs causing them to increase in size and increase in the number of inflammatory cells in the lungs. These cells release enzymes responsible for destruction of the lung tissue making it lose its elasticity. As a result, the lungs develop bullae (holes). In a person with emphysema, the alveoli where the exchange of oxygen and carbon di oxide takes place, gets damaged. The bronchi become narrow thus causing shortness of breath. While damaged airways don’t regenerate and there is no cure, COPD is preventable and treatable.

Rarely, emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein that protects the elastic structures in the lungs. It’s called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.

Symptoms of emphysema

Breathlessness with exertion, and eventually breathlessness all the time
Increased susceptibility to chest infections
Sputum production with chronic bronchitis
Cough
Fatigue
Expansion of the ribcage, due to over-expansion of the lungs
Cyanosis (a blue tinge to the skin) due to lack of oxygen.

Complication of emphysema:

Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung is a life-threatening possibility in people with severe emphysema due to compromised function of their lungs.
Cardiac Troubles: Emphysema can increase the pressure in the arteries connecting the heart and lungs causing cor pulmonale, in which a section of the heart expands and weakens.

Diagnosis of emphysema

Emphysema is diagnosed using a number of tests, including:

Lung function test called spirometry
Chest x-rays
Blood tests

Medical treatment for emphysema

Medical treatment for emphysema includes bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics, and oxygen. All patients with emphysema should stop smoking to prevent further damage to the lungs. Air pollution and exposure to passive smoke should be avoided as much as possible. A regular exercise such as walking and stair climbing should be continued. Emphysema patients should be vaccinated for influenza vaccine. A prompt treatment should be taken for any lung infections. Drinking 10-12 cups of liquid a day, eating small meals and snacks several times a day, and loosing excessive weight might help in an effort to reduce the shortness of breath.

Emphysema, health, lung damage, shortness of breath, smoking, Smoking kills

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Ruchira Dhoke

A qualified medical microbiologist with an avidity to read enchant a deep passion for creating a good impacting masterpiece with my words .I am very fond of good old English literature and like listening to music and paint in my free time.