Emphysema

Definition

Symptoms

Emphysema

Some people can have emphysema for years without noticing any of the symptoms. The main symptoms are:

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It occurs when the air sacs within the lungs are gradually destroyed.

• Shortness of breath
• Lips or fingernails turn blue or gray
• Loss of mental alertness
• Accelerated heartbeat
• Change in color/thickness of mucus

Cause

By: Abby Bonnanzio and Ally Lustbader

References

Rarely, emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein called Alpha-1 antitrypsin. This protein protects the elastic structures in the lungs. Lack of this protein traps air in the lungs just as other forms of emphysema does. But, emphysema is mainly caused by exposure to harmful irritants like:

• Tobacco smoke
• Marijuana smoke
• Air pollution
• Manufacturing fumes
• Coal and silica dust

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/coping-support/con-20014218

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/tc/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-cause

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/emphysema-stages-and-prognosis

http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/Radio/curriculum/Mechanisms/Emphysema.jpg

http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/media/medical/hw/h9991437_001.jpg

http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/Health/gty_elderly_breathing_jef_110826_wg.jpg

https://edc2.healthtap.com/ht-staging/user_answer/reference_image/7286/large/Emphysema.jpeg?1386669785

https://www.namcp.org/MD_Resource_Centers/COPD/fastfacts.html

Affect on Respiratory System

Emphysema creates small air pockets in the lungs, causing air to become trapped. This causes alveoli to become enlarged and eventually damages lung function all together. Emphysema makes it much harder for a person to breathe.

Pictures

Affect on Oxygen Intake

Emphysema damages the alveoli, the site in which blood exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen. The damaged air sacs now have trouble moving oxygen into the blood. Also, the bronchioles are prone to collapse, and trap air in the alveoli which makes it harder for oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide to exit.

Treatments

Other Facts

Someone with emphysema can seek treatment through three different methods: medication, therapy, and surgery.

Medication: Cessation drugs, Bronchodilators, Steroids, and Antibiodics

Therapy: Pulmonary rehabilitation and supplemental oxygen

Surgery: Lung volume reduction and lung transplant

The major emphysema staging system is called GOLD emphysema staging.

Stage I: Mild emphysema

Stage II: Moderate emphysema

Stage III: Severe emphysema

Stage IV: Very severe emphysema

In the United States, an estimated 24 million people are believed to have COPD. Of those, as many as 12 million people have not yet been diagnosed.

Life Expectancy

The life expectancy for an individual person with emphysema cannot be determined. Different stages of emphysema are used to show the severity of the emphysema, but even two people within the same stage can vary widely. There have been no large studies to determine the effect of emphysema on life expectancy.