Emphysema symptoms are evident characteristics of respiratory disorders that could show itself often, or sometimes, it can be continual. The symptoms of emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can sometimes be ignored but can actually be serious and life-threatening.
Emphysema Defined
As a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema will cause the air sacs of the lungs to deteriorate, which results in shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity. In the United States, 3.7 million people are reported to have emphysema. This condition is prevalent to individuals at ages 45 and above.
Shortness of breath, one of the main emphysema symptoms, is usually a result of tobacco use. Risks of acquiring this condition heighten with continued use of tobacco. Nonsmokers having emphysema are uncommon cases which result from a hereditary deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein synthesized by the liver in order to protect lung tissue. Other factors such as exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust and chemical fumes can also be contributing factors for nonsmokers who have developed Emphysema.
Emphysema symptoms develop over the years and can become serious if not treated. The plan for treatment for Emphysema usually includes using bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking cessation therapy and applying pulmonary rehabilitations that include breathing exercises and coughing. A change in lifestyle can also help considerably in slowing down the progression of the disease including exercising regularly, practicing hand hygiene, steering clear of cold air and irritants, and most of all, giving up smoking. Other problems and further emphysema symptoms will also be reduced with this change in lifestyle.
Contributing Factors for the Development of Emphysema
A lot of risk factors are connected to the development this respiratory disorder. Here are some list of these risk factors:
. Smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke:
. Secondary respiratory disease;
. Occupations associated with working with livestock, coal or textiles, ;
. Over exposure to chemical fumes, air pollution or dust particle
Symtpoms of Emhysema
Shortness of breath and difficulty or breathing ; these are the most frequent emphysema symptoms you will observe in a person with such a disease. Other common symptoms are chest pain, coughing out clear to yellowish discharge, a whistling sound upon breathing or wheezing, tachypnea or rapid and shallow breaths, clubbing of toes and fingers due to thickening of tissues underneath nail beds, and exhaustion. Besides the usual manifestations, there are also severe emphysema symptoms which are warning signs of more critical disorders. These life threatening warning signs are:
. Breathing or respiratory disorders such as choking, stopping from breathing, etc.
. Changes in alertness or consciousness level like unresponsiveness or passing out; and
. Discoloration of fingernails and lips;
. Tachycardia or increased heart rate
Emphysema Treatment
The treatment course for emphysema will start as soon as you get medical assistance and the diagnosis has been recognized. The ultimate goal of the treatment solution is to enhance breathing by undergoing with the various therapy. However critical cases that do not effectively respond to such therapies will require a surgical procedure like lung transplant or resection.
“Prevention is better than cure” as we say.”
The likelihood of acquiring emphysema symptoms and COPD itself could be reduced by staying away from the causative factors or by following these tips:
. Increase fluid intake;
. Get lots of sleep and exercise;
. Avoid cold air;
. Take all prescribed medicines; and
. Get rid of irritants at home such as fireplace dust, smoke or fumes
Should you be suffering from any emphysema symptoms noted on this page, seek help from your medical professional without delay.