Emphysema

Emphysema is one of the diseases that comprises COPD.  It develops over time and involves the gradual damage of lung tissue, specifically the destruction of the alveoli.   Gradually, this damage causes the air sacs to rupture and create one big air pocket instead of many small ones. This reduction in the lung surface area traps air in the damaged tissue and prevents oxygen from moving through the bloodstream. 

Emphysema is one of the most preventable respiratory illnesses because it is so strongly linked to smoking. Air pollutants, an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and respiratory infections can also play a role, but smoking is considered the number one cause.

Signs and symptoms of emphysema take years to develop, but once they start, they generally include shortness of breath, coughing with mucus, wheezing and chest tightness. 

Several tests are needed to diagnose emphysema including chest X-rays, pulse oximetry, and pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas test.  

Though emphysema cannot be cured, many treatments are available to help manage symptoms. Bronchodilator medications relax the muscles, anti-inflammatory medication can reduce airway inflammation, oxygen therapy can assist patients who need help breathing. In extreme situations, lung volume reduction surgery can relieve pressure by removing a portion of diseased lung tissue.  On the horizon are new advances in non-surgical lung volume reduction are being developed.