Are you also having difficulty breathing? Let's learn about emphysema, which affects the lungs!

Do you sometimes feel a little short of breath? Do you wheeze when you climb stairs or walk a short distance? Or do you suffer from a persistent cough? These could be symptoms of a lung condition called emphysema, which we are going to talk about today. Don't worry, let's talk about this.

What is Emphysema? Let's understand it simply

Simply put, emphysema is a disease that occurs when the tiny air sacs inside your lungs, called alveoli, are damaged. These alveoli are what we breathe in, adding oxygen from the air to the blood and releasing carbon dioxide from the blood. Think of your lungs as a bubble wrap. These tiny bubbles are what we call alveoli. There are about 300 million alveoli in a normal healthy lung. In emphysema, the walls of these alveoli become damaged and burst. Instead of those tiny bubbles, large air sacs form. It's like blowing up a bunch of small bubbles in bubble wrap to make one big bubble. This reduces the surface area of ​​the lungs for oxygen to exchange. Also, air can get trapped inside the lungs. This can make it difficult to breathe, causing wheezing. Some people may develop a swollen chest, giving them a barrel-chested appearance.

What are the main causes of emphysema?

Emphysema often develops in people who have smoked for many years. However, smoking is not the only cause. There are other causes:

• Air pollutants at home or in the workplace: Long-term inhalation of things like dust and chemical fumes.
• Genetic factors : Some people can also develop it due to conditions like Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which is a genetic condition. This is somewhat rare.
• Respiratory infections : Frequent lung infections can also affect.

It is said that more than 3 million people in the United States alone suffer from emphysema. So this is not something to be taken lightly.

What is the difference between Emphysema and COPD?

You may have heard the term COPD. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is not a single disease, but a general term for a group of diseases that gradually damage the lungs. Emphysema is another disease that belongs to this COPD group. Chronic bronchitis is another type of COPD. Some COPD patients may also have asthma.

What is the difference between Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis?

These are both types of COPD. Many people can have both at the same time.

• Emphysema: This mainly affects the alveoli of the lungs. The main symptom is difficulty breathing .
• Chronic Bronchitis: This is caused by the destruction of the fine, hair-like structures in the airways (called cilia). These cilia are responsible for removing germs and debris that enter the airways. The main symptom of chronic bronchitis is increased mucus production. This means a productive cough that produces thick, yellow, green, or gray mucus. In emphysema, symptoms such as coughing may also occur in addition to shortness of breath.

What are the stages of emphysema?

Doctors classify emphysema into stages of COPD. This is called the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) classification. This helps to understand the severity of the disease.

• Stage 1 (Mild): This is the mildest stage. Your lungs are functioning at least 80% of the lung function of a healthy person, depending on your age, height, and gender.
• Stage 2 (Moderate): Moderate emphysema. Lung function is between 50% and 79%.
• Stage 3 (Stage 3 - Severe): Severe emphysema. Lung function is reduced by between 30% and 49%.
• Stage 4 (Very Severe): Very severe emphysema. Lung function is reduced by more than 30%.

It is based on these stages that doctors make decisions about treatment methods and quality of life.

What is the life expectancy of an emphysema patient?

This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on your age, the stage of the disease, and whether you smoked, quit, or have never smoked. Smoking is said to reduce your life expectancy by about 3.5 years. Genetic factors also play a role. Emphysema is most common in men between the ages of 50 and 70. Therefore, it is important not to panic and seek medical advice immediately if you have symptoms.

What are the first symptoms of emphysema?

Most people don't start to notice symptoms of emphysema until 50% or more of their lung tissue has been destroyed. At that point, the first symptoms are gradually increasing shortness of breath and fatigue. Other symptoms include:

• Long-term cough (smoker's cough).
• Wheezing.
• Difficulty breathing, especially when doing light exercise like climbing stairs.
• Constantly feeling short of breath.
• Chest tightness.
• Increased mucus production.
• Change in mucus color (yellow or green).
• Always tired .
• Heart problems.
• Insomnia.
• Anxiety .
• Depression.
• Weight loss.

If you have emphysema, you are also at higher risk of developing lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

What is the main cause of emphysema?

Smoking is the main cause of emphysema. Cigarette smoke damages your lung tissue and irritates your airways. This causes your airways to swell, mucus builds up, and it becomes harder to clear your airways. All of this makes it difficult to breathe. There are other causes besides smoking:

• Cannabis smoke.
• Vaping and e-cigarettes.
• Cigar smoke.
• Air pollution.
• Dust.
• Chemical fumes.

Is Emphysema a contagious disease?

No, emphysema is not a contagious disease. If you have emphysema, you cannot give it to someone else.

How is Emphysema diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose emphysema. However, symptoms alone cannot tell for sure. The doctor will examine you. He or she will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. If you hear a hollow sound when you tap your chest, it means that there is air trapped in your lungs. Then, they will order more tests to confirm emphysema.

What tests are used to diagnose emphysema?

The doctor may order these tests:

• Chest X-ray: To check the condition of the lungs. However, X-rays are difficult to detect in the early stages of the disease. They are only useful in moderate to severe cases.
• CT scan: This can take a three-dimensional (3D) image of the lungs. It provides clearer details than an X-ray.
• Pulmonary function testing (PFT): Measures how well your lungs can breathe in and out. This test, also known as spirometry , measures the flow of air through your lungs and the amount of air in your lungs.
• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): This test measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in a sample of blood taken from an artery. This test is done to see if you need supplemental oxygen if your emphysema is getting worse.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): This tests the heart's function. This is done to see if heart disease is causing your shortness of breath.
• Blood tests and genetic tests: These are done to confirm whether there is a genetic cause, such as Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency .

Can damage to the lungs caused by emphysema be healed?

Unfortunately, the damage to the lungs caused by emphysema cannot be completely reversed. However, treatment can reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent further damage.

How is Emphysema treated?

Emphysema is a disease that can get worse over time. Therefore, the main goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease and maximize the function of the remaining healthy lung tissue. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disease. Treatment options may include:

• Quitting smoking: If you are a smoker, the best and most important step to controlling emphysema is to quit. You and your doctor can work together to find the best way to do this.
• Bronchodilators: These medications relax the muscles around the airways, allowing more air to enter and leave the lungs. These are often given as inhaled medications.
• Inhaled corticosteroids: These reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. You may need to take these daily to prevent symptoms.
• Oral corticosteroids: These are prescribed for a short period of time during flare-ups.
• Antibiotics: These are given to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia and bronchitis.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: Reduce inflammation in the airways.
• Oxygen therapy: If your blood is not getting enough oxygen from your lungs (this is called hypoxemia) , oxygen therapy can help. Oxygen is delivered by a machine through a nasal cannula or facemask.
• Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS): This surgery involves removing a portion of diseased lung tissue and reconnecting the remaining tissue. Removing the damaged tissue can reduce the pressure on the breathing muscles and increase the lung's ability to expand. Not everyone can have this surgery.
• Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction: In this procedure, a one-way valve is inserted into the airways using a bronchoscope. These valves allow air to escape from the lungs, but do not allow new air to enter. This also makes it easier to breathe. This is not for everyone.
• Lung transplant: If you have severe emphysema and other treatments are not working, you may be able to have a healthy lung transplant to replace the damaged lung.

What can you expect if you have emphysema?

Your outlook depends on the severity of your emphysema. If you have mild emphysema, the outlook is good. However, even mild emphysema can affect some daily activities, especially if you are over 65. Symptoms may occur when doing things like walking, climbing stairs, or getting dressed. If you have severe emphysema, it can be very difficult to breathe, and you may need medical help frequently.

Emphysema has no cure. Even if you stop smoking, the damage to your lungs will not be reversed. However, the disease can be managed with treatment. The sooner you start treatment, the better your quality of life can be.

How to reduce the risk of developing emphysema?

The best way to reduce your risk of developing emphysema is to avoid smoking. Quitting smoking is not easy. It may take several attempts to successfully quit. If you are thinking about quitting smoking, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you. It is also a good idea to join a support group. Other ways to reduce your risk of emphysema:

• Avoid secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, dust, pollen, and pet dander.
• Check your home for radon gas.
• Wear a mask when working with chemicals or in dusty areas.

How do I take care of myself?

If you have emphysema, the best way to prevent further problems is to quit smoking and protect yourself from respiratory infections. These tips can help prevent respiratory infections:

• Wash your hands often.
• Brush and floss your teeth every day. Use an antiseptic mouthwash after meals.
• Keep your breathing equipment clean.
• Keep your home clean and dust regularly.
• Get your vaccines on time, including the flu shot, pneumococcal vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine.
• Get an exercise program from your doctor and follow it.
• Avoid irritants like smoke, vehicle exhaust, strong perfumes, cleaning products, paints/varnishes, dust, pollen, and pet dander.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have severe breathing difficulties, call 1990 immediately.

Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• If breathing is more difficult than usual or you are easily short of breath.
• If you are producing more mucus than usual.
• If the mucus is unusually yellow or green.
• If you need to use your bronchodilator or inhaled corticosteroid medication more often.
• If your medicine doesn't seem to be helping you feel better.
• If the cough increases.
• If you can't sleep at night or wake up in the middle of the night due to difficulty breathing.
• If you feel low on energy.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

When you go to see the doctor, be prepared to ask questions like these:

• How do you know if I have emphysema?
• If I don't have emphysema, what other medical condition do I have?
• What things can make my emphysema worse?
• How do I know if my breathing is getting worse?
• What treatment options do you recommend?
• What exercises do you recommend?
• What can I do to prevent a respiratory infection?
• What can I do to quit smoking?
• Are there support groups that can help me quit smoking?
• Do I need an evaluation for lung volume reduction procedures or a lung transplant?

Does COVID-19 cause emphysema?

If you don't already have lung disease or damage, COVID-19 can cause giant emphysema. However, this is very rare. There have been very few reports of a link between COVID-19 and giant emphysema. Giant emphysema is a bullous disease. If you have emphysema, the air pockets become large, covering about a third of one or both lungs. Doctors call these large air pockets bullae (plural: bulla).

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Emphysema is a chronic disease that damages the air sacs in your lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The damage from emphysema cannot be reversed, and it can gradually get worse over time. However, treatment can help control symptoms and reduce the impact of emphysema.In addition to treatment, following the advice to prevent respiratory infections will help you breathe easier. Early detection of the disease can help you maintain a good quality of life for a long time. If you have difficulty breathing, especially if you are a smoker, be sure to see a doctor. He or she can diagnose emphysema and create a health plan that suits you. Then you can continue to do the things you love. Emphysema, lung disease, shortness of breath, smoking, COPD, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disease