EmphysemaBy Erin Brown

What is Emphysema?

•A type of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

•Very progressive• Alveoli and lungs are

gradually destroyed. •Lungs are unable to

perform the gas exchange properly

• No cure•One of the top 3 causes

of deathhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM04560

Causes

• *Smoking▫Tobacco▫Marijuana▫Most common cause

• Air pollution•Manufacturing fumes/toxins

▫Coal dust▫Silica dust

•Rare inherited protein deficiency

Physiology

•Tissue of the inner walls of these air sacs are weakened and holes appear.

•Elastic fibers of the airways to the alveolar sacs and lungs are destroyed.▫Decrease of surface area of the tissue.

•Expirations takes place, the passages collapse.

•Oxygen is not able to enter the bloodstream.

Symptoms

•Inflammation of the alveoli•Difficulty/highly forced exhaling•Exhaustion•Cyanosis

▫Blue coloring of the lips and skin•Barrel chest•Shortness of breath•Pneumothorax

▫collapsed lung

Symptoms continued…

•High blood pressure•Cor pulmonale

▫Section of the heart expands and weakens• Increased heart rate•Giant bullae holes in the lungs•Frequent respiratory infections•Persistent cough•Hypoxemia

▫Lack of oxygen in the blood

Symptoms continued…

•Pulmonary hypertension• Erythrocytosis•Stroke•Blood clots•Lightheadedness•Lung cancer•Heart attack•Difficulty concentrating•Wheezing

Symptoms continued…

•Weight loss•Swelling of the ankles•Lung tissue scaring•Bronchitis

TreatmentsDrugs & Surgery Lifestyle changes & Home

Remedies

• Bronchodilators• Inhaled steroids• Corticoid steroids• Antibiotics• Pulmonary rehabilitation• Supplemental oxygen• Lung volume reduction• Lung transplant

• *Stop smoking of any kind• Stop using any drugs

recreationally▫ Inhalants

• Avoid respiratory irritants▫ Pollution▫ Factory fumes

• Exercise• Eat healthy foods, avoid

unhealthy foods• Protect yourself from the

cold• Avoid respiratory infections

Questions

•What are the early symptoms?•What is the most common cause? Why is

it amongst the top 3 causes of death?•Where specifically does the disease start?•Why would respiratory infections be

common?• Is a certain age group more likely to

develop the disease?

Answers• Early symptoms may include, coughing,

shortness of breath, wheezing, exhaustion, frequent respiratory infections (bronchitis) etc.

• Smoking is the number 1 cause because of the large population of smokers. Also, because it has no cure and link to cancer and heart disease, it is amongst the top 3 causes of death.

• Specifically, emphysema starts in the alveolar sacs of lungs and spreads through out the lung tissue and air passage ways.

Answers continued• Respiratory infections are common because the lung

tissue and air passage ways are damaged. As a result, the lungs cannot adequately clean out the air. Also, the heart is affected in sending out blood with proper nutrients to the body and organs. Then, the organs are not able to function properly and the body weak and unable to fight off bacteria, viruses etc.

• No, not one certain age group is more likely to develop emphysema. Although, it may be more common amongst adults in their 30’s and up because of the time spent smoking damaging their lungs.

BibliographyA.D.A.M. "Health Guide." Emphysema Symptoms. The New York Times. Web. 04 June 2012.

<http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/emphysema/symptoms.html>.

A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." PubMed Health.A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, 01 May 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001153/>.

Emphysema - Diseases and Conditions | Aetna InteliHealth. Emphysema - Diseases and Conditions | Aetna InteliHealth. Harvard Medical School, 08 Sept. 2010. Web. 07 June 2012. <http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/WSIHW000/9339/9885.html?hide=t>.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Emphysema." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education andResearch, 29 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/emphysema/DS00296>.