Emphysema symptoms are apparent characteristics of respiratory ailments that could manifest often, or sometimes, it could be consistent. Emphysema is a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and its warning signs may easily be disregarded but could actually be severe and life-threatening.
Emphysema Defined
Emphysema is a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can cause the air sacs in the lungs to weaken, ultimately causing difficulty breathing and reduced lung capacity. Roughly 3.7 million US residents suffer from Emphysema. This condition is common to individuals at ages 45 and above.
Shortness of breath, one of the major emphysema symptoms, is usually a result of tobacco use. Risks of developing emphysema heighten with continued smoking. Nonsmokers having emphysema are unusual cases that originate from a hereditary insufficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein produced by the liver in order to protect lung tissue. Other variables like exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust and chemical fumes may also be contributing factors for nonsmokers who have Emphysema.
Emphysema symptoms develop over the years and may become serious if neglected. Advised treatments for emphysema consist of taking bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking cessation therapy as well as applying pulmonary rehabilitations that include breathing exercises and coughing. With a change in lifestyle including steering clear of cold air and respiratory irritants, staying away from using tobacco, exercising regularly, washing hands and the like, advancement of the disease can be delayed. Various other problems and additional emphysema symptoms will also be reduced with this lifestyle adjustment.
Risk Factors of Emphysema
Numerous risk factors are associated to the development this respiratory disorder. This includes:
€ Over exposure to chemical fumes, air pollution or dust particle;
€ Occupations related to working with livestock, coal or textiles;
€ Family background of deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin;
€ Preexisting respiratory disorder; and
€ Tobacco use and inhaling secondhand smoke.
Emphysema Symptoms
The most common of emphysema symptoms are shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Other common signs of illness are coughs with yellowish or clear mucus, chest pain, low energy, rapid breathing (tachypnea), clubbing of finger and toes as a result of thickening of tissues underneath nail beds, and wheezing (whistling sound heard while breathing). Aside from the typical symptoms, there are also serious emphysema symptoms which are symptoms of more deadly conditions. Life threatening symptoms include:
€ Breathing or respiratory disorders like choking, stopping from breathing, etc.
€ Changes in alertness or consciousness level such as unresponsiveness or passing out; and
€ Discoloration of fingernails and lips;
€ Tachycardia or increased heart rate
Treating Emphysema
Emphysema treatment starts with seeking medical advice from your doctor. The ultimate aim of the treatment course is to improve breathing by undergoing with the various therapies. However serious cases that do not effectively respond to therapy will need a lung transplant or surgical resection.
€Prevention is better than cure€ as we say.€
Risks of acquiring Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and emphysema symptoms may be reduced by steering clear of risk factors or by simply following these guidelines:
€ Increase fluid intake;
€ Have plenty of sleep and exercise;
€ Keep away from cold air;
€ Take all prescribed medications; and
€ Get rid of irritants at home which includes fumes, fireplace dust or smoke
If you're encountering any emphysema symptoms outlined in this post, immediately get assistance from your physician.
Emphysema Defined
Emphysema is a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can cause the air sacs in the lungs to weaken, ultimately causing difficulty breathing and reduced lung capacity. Roughly 3.7 million US residents suffer from Emphysema. This condition is common to individuals at ages 45 and above.
Shortness of breath, one of the major emphysema symptoms, is usually a result of tobacco use. Risks of developing emphysema heighten with continued smoking. Nonsmokers having emphysema are unusual cases that originate from a hereditary insufficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein produced by the liver in order to protect lung tissue. Other variables like exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust and chemical fumes may also be contributing factors for nonsmokers who have Emphysema.
Emphysema symptoms develop over the years and may become serious if neglected. Advised treatments for emphysema consist of taking bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking cessation therapy as well as applying pulmonary rehabilitations that include breathing exercises and coughing. With a change in lifestyle including steering clear of cold air and respiratory irritants, staying away from using tobacco, exercising regularly, washing hands and the like, advancement of the disease can be delayed. Various other problems and additional emphysema symptoms will also be reduced with this lifestyle adjustment.
Risk Factors of Emphysema
Numerous risk factors are associated to the development this respiratory disorder. This includes:
€ Over exposure to chemical fumes, air pollution or dust particle;
€ Occupations related to working with livestock, coal or textiles;
€ Family background of deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin;
€ Preexisting respiratory disorder; and
€ Tobacco use and inhaling secondhand smoke.
Emphysema Symptoms
The most common of emphysema symptoms are shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Other common signs of illness are coughs with yellowish or clear mucus, chest pain, low energy, rapid breathing (tachypnea), clubbing of finger and toes as a result of thickening of tissues underneath nail beds, and wheezing (whistling sound heard while breathing). Aside from the typical symptoms, there are also serious emphysema symptoms which are symptoms of more deadly conditions. Life threatening symptoms include:
€ Breathing or respiratory disorders like choking, stopping from breathing, etc.
€ Changes in alertness or consciousness level such as unresponsiveness or passing out; and
€ Discoloration of fingernails and lips;
€ Tachycardia or increased heart rate
Treating Emphysema
Emphysema treatment starts with seeking medical advice from your doctor. The ultimate aim of the treatment course is to improve breathing by undergoing with the various therapies. However serious cases that do not effectively respond to therapy will need a lung transplant or surgical resection.
€Prevention is better than cure€ as we say.€
Risks of acquiring Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and emphysema symptoms may be reduced by steering clear of risk factors or by simply following these guidelines:
€ Increase fluid intake;
€ Have plenty of sleep and exercise;
€ Keep away from cold air;
€ Take all prescribed medications; and
€ Get rid of irritants at home which includes fumes, fireplace dust or smoke
If you're encountering any emphysema symptoms outlined in this post, immediately get assistance from your physician.