Emphysema Symptoms and Signs

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that affects the alveoli. The alveoli are tiny air sacs which are present in the lungs in thousands of numbers. It is in these sacs that the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place when we breathe. Due to emphysema, the size of these sacs increase. As a result, its surrounding tissues loses its natural elastic properties and so, it cannot expand and shrink normally during breathing. Due to this, patients find it difficult to exhale completely and so, carbon dioxide build up takes place in the body and symptoms show up.

Facts About Emphysema
Before, we discuss the symptoms and signs, let us find out about some important facts related to this lung disease:

• Emphysema belongs to a group of diseases known aschronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is mostly accompanied by chronic bronchitis.
• There are four stages. They are at-risk, mild, moderate and severe.
• As the sacs of the lungs affected by emphysema get enlarged, their numbers in the lungs decrease.
• This disease is most commonly found in people who are heavy smokers. Cigarette smoke damages the lung tissue and blocks normal air flow through lungs. It also irritates the air passage leading to further obstruction.
• More number of men get affected by this disease as compared to women. This is simply because the smoking population of men is much higher than women.
• Apart from smoking, other risk factors of this disease include prolonged exposure to pollution, toxic chemicals and other such irritants. Severe infection of the lungs, certain enzymes, aging and heredity are the other factors responsible this kind of damage in the lung tissue.

Symptoms and Signs
There are few signs and they are usually quite subtle in nature and cannot be identified easily. However, there are a few signs that can help you recognize this condition at the earliest.

Shortness of breath is the most common sign of emphysema. Unlike other respiratory conditions, in emphysema, the breathing problem arises during exhalation not inhalation. In the initial stage, it happens while doing some physical activity but as the disease progresses it can be experienced even when the patient is at rest. Also patients often breathe rapidly. The medical term for rapid breathing is tachypnea. In normal conditions, the rate of respiration of an adult person varies between 12 and 20 but in people with emphysema, it goes much beyond that. A chronic, persistent cough that refuses to go over a long period of time is one of the other symptoms and signs. It may or may not be accompanied by sputum. Like any other COPD problem, here too, there is likely to be an excess of mucus production.

Blue skin or cyanosis is a temporary symptom found in these patients. It is noticed particularly after some physically strenuous activity and it disappears once the patient takes some rest. This happens because of improper supply of oxygen to various parts of the body. Barrel chest is a condition where the chest get expanded and appears round like a barrel. This symptom is mostly observed in the advanced stages of emphysema. This happens when a large amount of air gets trapped inside the air sacs and does not come out due to which the patient struggles to exhale. Due to the breathing trouble, normal activities like eating become a tough task. Eventually, patients suffer from lack of appetite which in turn, leads to severe weight loss. Apart from the breathing related symptoms, nail clubbing is likely to occur.

Treatment
The treatment of this lung disease is based upon the stage of emphysema. It is determined with the help of a special test known as spirometry. There is no full and final cure for this disease. Hence, efforts are made to bring relief from the symptoms. Bronchodilator medicines are available as oral medicines and sprays and are used to open up the air passage. For stronger action, steroid sprays are administered. Antibiotics are used to fight any possible lung infections. Regular vaccination is essential to keep the respiratory infections at bay. In some cases, surgical options have to be availed to alter the lung volume.

As you can see, emphysema symptoms and signs can be serious. Therefore, it is important to prevent emphysema. If you are a smoker, you must stop smoking immediately. Passive smoking should also be avoided. Also, always wear mask so as to avoid the effects of air pollution.