Emphysema is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that can get worse over time. It�s usually caused by smoking. Having emphysema means some of he air sacs in your lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe.
Emphysema can be caused by one or a combination of these things:
Cigarette smoking: Most cases of emphsyema are caused by cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoke reaches deep into the lungs and causes permanent damage. If you have emphysema from cigarettes, the best way to stop your lung damage is to quit smoking as soon as possible. It�s never too late to quit smoking.
Signs and symptoms of emphysema
Shortness of breath- feeling like you can�t get your breath out
A barrel-shaped chest
Wheezing
Feeling tired (fatigue)
Losing weight without trying
People might think that feeling short of breath is a normal sign of aging- but it�s not. If you have these signs and symptoms, see your doctor. Ask for spirometry, a simple test that measures how much air you move out of your lungs.
These signs and symptoms will not go away over time- they will get worse. The sooner you see the doctor, the sooner you can find out how to feel better.
How is emphysema diagnosed?
To figure out if you have emphysema, your doctor many do some of these tests:
Physical exam, including listening to your lungs & breathing sounds
� Spirometry- this test measures how much air you can move out of your lungs
� Chest x-ray
� Blood tests
Treatment for emphysema
There is no cure for emphysema, but it is possible to slow down the disease and make it easier to live with the symptoms.
The number one treatment for emphysema is to quit smoking and stay away from smoky places. By quitting smoking, you can slow down emphysema.
There are other treatments for emphysema, including medications, supplemental oxygen, and more. Emphysema is part of a lung disease known as COPD. Read more about treating COPD, including emphysema.
What can I expect if I have emphysema?
People with emphysema eventually die from it, or from a complication of it.
Complications of emphysema:
� Recurring chest infections, including pneumonia, the flu, cold, etc.
� Pulmonary hypertension: abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs
� Cor pulmonale: enlargement and strain on the r