Emphysema Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment
Emphysema Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment
Emphysema symptoms are markers of respiratory disorders that can occur several times a day or only several times a month. The indications of emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can be easily taken for granted but can actually be severe and life-threatening.
Emphysema Defined
As a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema causes the air sacs in the lungs to deteriorate, resulting in difficulty breathing and reduced lung capacity. In the United States, 3.7 million citizens are reported to have emphysema. It is a widespread respiratory disorder for people aged 45 years and above.
Shortness of breath, one of the major emphysema symptoms, is commonly caused by smoking. Risks of developing emphysema increases with continued smoking. Nonsmokers having emphysema are rare cases which result from an inherited insufficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein synthesized by the liver in order to protect lung tissue. Still, exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, chemical fumes and dust can promote development of emphysema for nonsmokers.
Emphysema symptoms develop through time and could become severe if not treated. Suggested treatments for emphysema include taking anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking cessation therapy, using bronchodilators and engaging in pulmonary rehabilitations by doing coughing and other breathing exercises. With a change in lifestyle such as keeping away from cold air and respiratory irritants, refraining from smoking, exercising regularly, washing hands and the like, progression of the disease can be slowed down. Other complications and additional emphysema symptoms are also decreased with this change in lifestyle.
Emphysema Risk Factors
There are some factors that tend to increase the risk of acquiring emphysema. These risk factors include:
- Overexposure to air pollution, dust particle or chemical fumes;
- Professions related to working with coal, textiles, or livestock;
- Family medical history of deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin;
- Preexisting respiratory disorder; and
- Smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke.
Emphysema Symptoms
The most common of emphysema symptoms are difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Other common symptoms include chest pain, coughs with yellowish or clear mucus, wheezing (whistling sound heard while breathing), rapid breathing (tachypnea), clubbing of toes and fingers due to thickening of tissues underneath nail beds, and fatigue. Aside from the common symptoms, there are also serious emphysema symptoms that are indications of a more fatal conditions. Life threatening symptoms include:
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia);
- Discoloration of fingernails and lips;
- Changes in alertness or consciousness level such as unresponsiveness or passing out; and
- Breathing or respiratory disorders such as choking, stopping from breathing, etc.
Emphysema Treatment
Emphysema treatment starts with seeking medical advice from your doctor. The ultimate goal of the treatment is to improve breathing by undergoing therapy, etc. But severe cases that do not respond to therapy will require a surgical resection or lung transplant.
As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Risks of development of emphysema symptoms and COPD itself can be minimized by avoiding risk factors or by following these tips:
- Get plenty of rest and exercise;
- Drink lots of water or fluids;
- Avoid cold air;
- Remove irritants at home including fireplace dust, smoke or fumes; and
- Take all prescribed medications.
If you are experiencing any emphysema symptoms mentioned in this article, immediately seek help from your family physician.