Do You Know About Pulmonary Emphysema?

Pulmonary Emphysema is a chronic disease in which the tissues of the lungs are gradually destroyed, making it very distended. This destruction occurs in the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs in oxygen by carbon dioxide. As a result, the person starts to suffocate to perform tasks or practice. The disease begins with the destruction of tiny air sacs (alveoli) that make up the lungs.

In areas destroyed, no gas exchange occurs in a satisfactory way so that they decrease the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood and then there's the lack of air. The lungs also lose their elasticity, making it more difficult to exit the air after each inspiration. Almost all the cases is caused by smoking. Few cases are due to deficiency of alpha-1-antripsina, which is an enzyme in the lungs.

Around 10-15% of smokers more susceptible to the harmful effect of smoking is that develop the disease. As we go smoking will worsening their lung capacity. The smokers, most of the time, then they see the changes caused by the disease only after several years.

Symptoms

The main characteristic of the disease is the lack of air. In most cases, smokers are of long standing who, around the age of 65, will suffocate to make efforts. The lack of air at the beginning is only noticeable for large and medium exertion (climbing stairs or walking are examples).

Keeping the habit of smoking, could reach an advanced stage of disease, in which shortness of breath comes with simple tasks such as bathing, dressing or if was comb, for example. Today, many become unfit for work and spend most of their time in bed or sitting not to suffocate. The person may also experience the need to sleep with pillows higher because of shortness of breath.

The coughing and wheezing in the chest can also occur but are more common in smokers. In cases of pulmonary emphysema by a deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin (enzyme produced by lung), the disease develops early, even without exposure to smoke.

Diagnosis

The doctor makes the diagnosis in most cases, based on long-term exposure to tobacco referred to by the patient, associated with complaints and the changes detected in physical examination. There may be the aid of additional tests, examinations and image (radiography and computed tomography of the chest), blood tests and spirometry.

This is a test of lung function that measures the ability of air in lungs, giving a good idea of its operation. The exams may help to establish the level of severity of the disease and thus help in deciding the best treatment for each case. For the cases of emphysema by a deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin, it is necessary to strength this enzyme in the blood, which is below normal.

Cure

The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms of the patient and prevent disease progression. Some cases may have partial improvement with the use of medications. Can be used steroids or bronchodilators, inhaled or orally. The inhalation is the preferred route for having effect faster and less accounting effects. In emergencies, the medications through injections can also be used.

It is important to note that, unlike the asthma and chronic bronchitis; people with emphysema do not usually have little benefit or improve with the use of bronchodilators. Thus, people become more prepared for daily activities. Therapy with oxygen (oxygen) also benefits many people, improving the life expectancy in many cases, especially those with advanced disease.

In selected cases, may be carried out for lung volume reduction surgery. They removed the most committed of one or both lungs, to improve respiratory mechanics, resulting in an improvement of symptoms and in daily from people.

Prevention

There is no way, until now; able to define those who are susceptible to the disease in the habit of smoking. We can only, through spirometry, to identify the loss of lung function in people who smoke and advise them to stop. Besides avoiding cigarette smoking, another way to prevention is to reduce exposure to air pollution.