Emphysema: Symptoms and Treatment

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Emphysema
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Emphysema

• Have you been feeling difficulties in breathing
  lately? If yes, you could be suffering from
  Emphysema. Though there are many other symptoms
  of the disease, but breathing problems is the
  most common symptom, as Emphysema is directly
  related to the lung, and your ability to breathe.
  You should never neglect the symptoms of
  Emphysema - approach a pulmonologist and get it
  diagnosed quickly so that you can opt for the
  best treatment. Emphysema is a disease of the
  lungs where the organ responsible for breathing
  is not able to expel air properly. There are
  tissues in the lungs that support the function
  and shape of the lungs, and when you are showing
  Emphysema symptoms, it means that these tissues
  are damaged. Tissue damage obstructs the flow of
  air. And since the passages are blocked, the body
  asks you to put more effort, and this is what
  causes the shortness of breath. Smoking, which
  causes bronchitis, is also a main cause of
  Emphysema.

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Symptoms

• The emphysema symptoms arise from two primary
  causes. Firstly, you will experience shortness of
  breath because there are obstructions in air
  passage to the lungs. And secondly the carbon
  monoxide levels in the body go up when the
  alveoli or the tissues are damaged. You will also
  need to remember that the symptoms tend to vary a
  lot from one person to another. 
• Breathing problems - This is the primary
  Emphysema symptom. So if you are experiencing
  shortness of breath for no apparent reason, you
  should consult your doctor immediately.
• Chronic cough - If you smoke cigarettes, it is
  more likely that you will become a victim than
  someone who doesn't. Many smokers have a chronic
  cough, and it is also associated with Emphysema.
  This cough can be without or with sputum.

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Symptoms
Continue

• Rapid breathing - You can be suffering from
  Emphysema even if you do not show shortness of
  breathing. There are some who actually breathe
  rapidly and this condition is known as Tachypnea.
• Wheezing - Wheezing is among the most common
  symptoms of Emphysema as most victims are
  affected. Wheezing refers to a whistling kind of
  a sound when you are breathing.
• Reduced tolerance to exercise - If you are
  suffering from this disease, you will probably
  not be able to cope with a busy exercise
  schedule. Also try to limit your physical
  activities as much as you can. Take care because
  this seems to become worse with time.
• Appetite loss - Many victims of Emphysema lose
  their appetite too. However often it can be
  difficult to associate this to Emphysema.
• Fever - Viral fever can also be a sign of
  Emphysema, particularly if the lung itself is
  also affected because of a bacterial infection,
  which is often the case.

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Treatments

• Since smoking is one of the major contributing
  factors for emphysema, one must quit smoking to
  prevent this condition. In case of people who
  have already been diagnosed with this disease,
  giving up this habit might help slow down the
  progression of this lung condition. It is
  advisable to minimize one's exposure to
  environmental pollutants. Since this condition
  inhibits proper air exchange and causes shortness
  of breath, the use of bronchodilators might prove
  beneficial. These medications facilitate better
  air exchange and allow the air passages to open
  fully. Supplemental oxygen might be required in
  severe cases. Antibiotics and steroids might be
  prescribed to treat emphysema associated
  with asthmaand bronchitis. Performing certain
  breathing exercises might also help. If you are
  a smoker and have been suffering from the
  aforementioned symptoms, you must get yourself
  medically examined at the earliest. Chest X-ray,
  pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases
  analysis, and sputum analysis are some of the
  diagnostic tests that are conducted to diagnose
  emphysema.

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