The Ins and Outs of Emphysema

Emphysema of the lung, a long term progressive disease, causes shortness of breath as a result from over inflation of the air sacs in the lung. The lung tissue of those with this disease becomes damaged or destroyed. This condition is one of a number of diseases called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). What the diseases in this group has in common is that that cause one's air flow to become obstructed, and thus, the individual affected with have trouble breathing or will be unable to breathe on his or her own. COPD diseases are considered to be the fourth leading cause of death for Americans.

The number one cause of this disease is the smoking of cigarettes. Cigarette smoke eventually destroys one's lung tissue, which then causes the air flow is be obstructed. Cigarette smoke also results in the inflammation of the airways, which again, lead to further obstruction of one's air flow. The specific cause of the disease is of course preventative. Those who smoke cigarettes should be aware of the serious risks that they are putting themselves in.

Another cause is Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Alpha 1-antitrypsin is a substance that helps fight destructive enzymes found in the lungs. Without enough Alpha 1-antitrypsin, these destructive enzymes can over time destroy the lung tissue, which in turn reduces one's capacity to breath properly.

Air pollution is another cause of this disease. Like cigarette smoke, pollution inflames an individual's airways and eventually results in the lung tissue being destroyed.

In addition to the causes mentioned above, there exist certain risk factors which increase the chances of developing this disease. For example, those with bronchial asthma are at greater risk of developing this disorder because of their abnormal airway. Moreover, research has shown that men have a greater chance of getting emphysema than women. Old age is an additionally risk factor. This is because the ability of our lungs to work properly declines as we get older in age.

Various symptoms can include shortness of breath, coughing, inability to exhale completely and an increase of the distance between one's chest to one's back. This occurs because the air one breathes becomes blocked in the obstructed airways due to either inflammation or damage from the disease.

There are a variety of treatments available, though their effectiveness depends on the severity of the disease. Besides quitting smoking, doctors use various medications in order to open up the air ways, and thus, permitting more air getting into the body and improving breathing. The medications include Proventil and Ventolin, which are administered via an inhaler. Steroids can also be used as treatments. They can decrease the inflammation caused by the disease, which can help widen the airways. Furthermore, antibioticsalong with oxygen, are employed as well, though these are used for those with shortness of breath.

Surgical options are also available especially to individuals in the advanced stages of the disease. Surgical procedures include both lung transplants and an operation known as lung volume reduction.