Emphysema causes damage to the alveoli (al-you-o-lie) ...

What is emphysema? Emphysema (em-Fi-SEE-ma) is a long-term lung disease. Emphysema is a group of lung diseases called COPD or chronic obstructive lung disease. Emphysema causes damage to the alveoli (al-VEE-o-lie), that can not be reversed (cured). Alveolus tiny air sacs in the lungs, where oxygen enters the bloodstream. In emphysema, the lungs become less able to take in oxygen (good air) and get rid of carbon dioxide (deye-OKS eyes). Carbon dioxide is an invisible gas that your body secretes as a byproduct. Another common form of COPD are chronic bronchitis (Bronh-KEYE-tis). In chronic bronchitis, the airways become inflamed (swelling), and make too much mucus, which also traps air in the lungs. People with emphysema often have chronic bronchitis and. What is the cause of emphysema? Smoking or being around smokers: smoking causes most cases of COPD, including emphysema. Other types of smoke, such as pipe and cigar smoke can also cause COPD. The more you smoke the more damage you do to your lungs. Children of smokers also are at increased risk of COPD in later life. People who do not smoke but who live or work around smoke others can get emphysema. Influence of things that irritate the lungs: Working on some dust and vapor (gas) can cause damage to the lungs over time. Living in an area which has a strong air pollution also increases the risk of lung cancer issues. Living or working in dust, fumes or pollution, when you have emphysema can make your illness worse. Lung irritants that can cause problems with your lungs for a long time is:

Working around smoke from burning structures or grasses on a regular basis. Smoke from chemicals such as ammonia or chlorine. Dust, such as coal dust, grain dust, and dust from metals. Frequent or severe (very bad) lung infections that can lead to lung damage over time. Family history of COPD: You may be more likely to get lung disease if someone in your family had one. AAT deficiency: alpha-1 antitrypsin (al-Faw An-ti-TRIP-son), or AAT lasix 20 mg, is a protein found in blood, which helps protect the lungs from damage. Failure (lack of) AAT can greatly increase the risk of lung diseases including COPD. AAT deficiency rare genetic (inherited) problem that can be treated. If someone in your family had problems with the lungs at an early age, tell your care. What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema? Early signs and symptoms: signs and symptoms of emphysema can be very slow. Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity is one of the earliest symptoms. You may have dry cough in the morning, or that causes mucus from the lungs. Smokers may mistake this cough "normal smoker's cough." (Cough smoker never "normal" and may mean that your lungs are damaged by smoking). Over time, the cough may start more than a day. You may have colds and other infections of lungs more often than you used to. Later signs and symptoms: As emphysema gets worse over time, you can have more symptoms. Your skin, nail beds or lips may turn dark or blue. You can be a short breath and get tired faster. You may not be able to go as far as before. From time to time, you can make a high sound when you breathe, called wheezing. You may notice your breathing faster and smaller than before. You may lose too much weight. You may have to lean forward to breathe when I sat. You may become anxious or depressed because your breathing problems. Signs and symptoms of heart problems: Advanced (very bad) emphysema can lead to heart problems. This occurs when the heart must work harder because of damage to the lungs. You may get swelling of the ankles, legs or abdomen (belly). You can have problems with pressure or chest pain. Keep all meetings with the teacher, so that any new problems with the heart or lungs, you can find and treat early. What is acute emphysema? When a person with COPD, they may be times when their symptoms get worse very quickly. They are called exacerbations (ie, ZAS e-e-BAY avoids). Aggravation of emphysema may be due to (early) for infection (in Fek-avoidance), such as colds or flu. Being around lung irritants, like pollution, dust, smoke, or smoke can cause aggravation. Other diseases such as heart problems or infection elsewhere in the body, can make breathing problems worse. Aggravation of emphysema can be serious and even life threatening. The main symptom of emphysema exacerbation increased shortness of breath. You can fork out more mucus than usual, or mucus that other color than usual. Aggravation of emphysema should be treated as soon as possible. If increasing shortness of breath, signs of infection, problems of the new thinking, new or chest pain or pressure, see care immediately. As emphysema diagnosed? Your mother may ask you many questions about your work, life, and signs and symptoms you have. Your departure will examine you and listen to your heart and lungs through the stethoscope (STETH-at-skohp). You may need tests such as blood tests or chest x-ray. You may need to test and ECG heart check. Pulmonary (pool-MZ-Hep-e), research functions may also be needed.

Investigation of lung function is also called lung function tests. These tests measure how well your lungs can take in, maintenance and use of air. As emphysema treated? Emphysema can not be cured. The goal of treatment is to help you feel better and keep the light most healthy. The most important thing you can do to help your emphysema is to quit. You may need to see a special doctor called mild pulmonary (Pul-MZ-Nal-O-Tech). You may need special care to help you learn about things like healthy eating, exercise and planning activities. Other things that can reduce symptoms and prevent the problems are as follows. You may need medication to help you breathe more easily. They may include inhalers, oxygen, and steroids (STER-OID). Always follow the instructions to you your withdrawal using oxygen and taking medications. You may have to sleep with your upper body elevated (raised) to help you breathe more easily. You may need to learn special breathing exercises, such as pursed lip breathing. Always causes your assistant at the first sign of illness such as colds or flu. You may need special treatment for the prevention of serious lung infections such as pneumonia (Noo-MZ-Nyah). During exacerbations may have to go to hospital for tests or procedures. Rarely, surgery (such as lung transplantation or lung reduction) is made for people with severe (very bad) COPD. The risk of emphysema depends on how badly your lungs and overall health. As emphysema gets worse over time, you can feel pain, sleep problems or anxiety. You may need to use oxygen to help you breathe. You may lose too much weight. Once COPD may increase the risk of lung cancer. Smoking also increases the risk and increases the risk of emphysema your worse. Pulmonary infections in people suffering emphysema can be life threatening. You can die from emphysema. Emphysema fateful illness for you and your family. Acknowledging that you have emphysema difficult. You and close you can feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to teachers, family or friends about your feelings. Let them help you. Encourage those around you to talk with your caregiver about how things in the house. Your care can help your family better understand how to support people with emphysema. You can also join a support group. This group of people who also have emphysema or other COPD. Ask the teacher for names and numbers of support groups near you. You can also contact the following for more information:

1301 Pennsylvania Ave. Since

Washington, DC 20004

Internet address: http://www. lungusa. org

Atlanta, GA 30333

Internet address: http://www. CDC. spices

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health and how it can be treated. Discuss treatment options with the help of educators to decide what you want to get help. You always have the right to refuse treatment. Copyright 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information for the end user and can not be sold, redistribution, or otherwise used for commercial purposes. The above information is just a tutorial. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical treatment to see if it is safe and effective for you. .