Emphysema Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Lungs Spirometry Show all 7 photos Emphysema Definition Emphysema is a lung disease that involves damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of emphysema. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants are thought to cause the release of chemicals from within the lungs that damage the walls of the air sacs. This damage becomes worse over time. Persons with this disease have air sacs in the lungs that are unable to fill with fresh air. This affects the oxygen supply to the body. A naturally occurring substance in the lungs called alpha-1 antitrypsin may protect against this damage. People with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are at an increased risk for this disease. Symptoms Shortness of breath Chronic cough with or without sputum production Wheezing Decreased ability to exercise Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include the following: Anxiety Unintentional weight loss Ankle, feet, and leg swelling Fatigue Signs and tests A physical examination may show wheezing, decreased breath sounds, or prolonged exhalation (exhalation takes more than twice as long as inspiration). The chest may be barrel-shaped. There may be signs of chronically insufficient oxygen levels in the blood. These tests help confirm the diagnosis: Pulmonary function tests Chest x-ray Arterial blood gases showing low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), and high levels of carbon dioxide (respiratory acidosis) This disease may also alter the results of the following tests: Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan Chest CT scan Treatment Smoking cessation is the most important and effective treatment. Only quitting smoking can stop the progression of lung damage once it has started. Medications used to improve breathing include bronchodilators, diuretics, and corticosteroids. Antibiotics may be prescribed when respiratory infections occur. Continue reading this article

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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (2 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a lack of a liver protein that blocks the destructive effects of certain enzymes. The condition may lead to emphysema and liver disease, and in rare cases, skin disease. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 03/01/2007

Subcutaneous emphysema (1 image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when air gets into tissues under the skin covering the chest wall or neck. This can happen due to stabbing, gun shot wounds, other penetrations, or blunt trauma. Air can also be found in between skin layers on the arms and legs during certain infections, including gas gangrene. Reviewer: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/18/2007

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7 images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that cause swelling of the¿airways.¿ Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common forms of COPD. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006

Smoking - tips on how to quit (2 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Reviewer: Jonathan Harding, MD, CPE, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/15/2005

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