Pulmonary emphysema is a pathological condition of the lung tissue, which is characterized by its increased airiness due to the expansion of the alveoli, as well as the destruction of alveolar walls. This disease happens with males twice as often than with females. The risk of development of emphysema among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary illnesses is very high, especially after 55 years (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014).
Factors that Provoke the Development of Emphysema
At the present time there are many causes and risk factors of pulmonary emphysema, with which a person meets almost every day. Some of them we will consider now.
The main cause of this disease is smoking. Cigarette smoke among inveterate smokers causes irreversible processes in the alveoli. Therefore, after identifying of emphysema the patient must immediately give up this bad habit. Complete cessation of smoking significantly improves the state of health and stops the destructive processes in the lung tissue.
It is proved that emphysema can also occur due to the air pollution and other environmental hazards.
There are some cases when the disease develops due to the deficit of alpha-1-antitrypsin. With this pathology smoking is considered as the main provocateur.
Inflammatory processes in the alveoli and bronchi are also the causes of emphysema.
In addition to the above mentioned factors, the illness can be provoked by regular inhalation of various chemicals, dust, cement, etc. (Markus MacGill, 2015).
Symptoms of Emphysema
The standard symptoms of emphysema include: an expressed dyspnea, cyanosis (bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes), the increase in chest size, a significant decrease in respiratory movements, bulging or expansion of supraclavicular areas, expansion or bulging of the gaps between the ribs.
At the early stages the main symptom of emphysema is expressive dyspnea during physical activity. At the beginning it is very rare and most often occurs in the wintertime. But if the disease progresses, the dyspnea appears at any season of the year. Patients experience a sharp, snapping and short inhalation and a long exhalation.
In severe cases emphysema symptoms are alarming, because cyanosis appears: a tongue acquires a blue tint, nails and lips become bluish, especially after physical activity.
Another notable symptom of emphysema is the loss of weight. This is explained by the fact that patients spend too much energy for the intensive operation of respiratory muscles (David T. Derrer, 2014).
Bullous Emphysema
Many doctors believe that the bullous emphysema is a manifestation of hereditary or genetic disorders. With regard to the etiology and pathogenesis of this form of emphysema, they are still not fully understood.
Bullous emphysema is characterized by the formation of air bubbles of various sizes, which are generally located in the edge parts of the lungs. These bubbles can be single and multiple, widespread or local. Their sizes range from 1 to 10 centimeters. This type of emphysema has one feature - the early development of respiratory insufficiency. It develops not only because of emphysema, but also due to compression of the surrounding healthy tissue by these bubbles. The operation area which contains bubbles is greatly disturbed. To sum up, the symptoms of emphysema of bullous form are very serious, difficult and dangerous (Coughing Up Blood).
General Methods of Treatment
Special breathing exercises. It helps to improve the gas exchange. The course of treatment lasts 21 day.
Complete cessation of smoking. This is the main principle of prevention and treatment of pulmonary emphysema.
Antibiotics. Most often to treat this disease anticholinergic drugs, theophylline and beta-2 sympathomimetic are used. The intensity of the therapy and the choice of the drug depend on the symptoms. During the treatment of emphysema antibiotics are combined with expectorants.
Ozone therapy as a treatment of emphysema has recently gained sufficiently high confidence because it shows excellent results in the elimination of respiratory insufficiency. The full course lasts 20 days.
Also for the treatment of emphysema giving up hard physical trainings is considered as a very important point (Markus MacGill, 2015).
Surgical treatment is recommended for bullous emphysema. The essence of this treatment is to remove air bubbles. Such operations are performed via the classical access (opening of the chest) and the endoscopic access (through the puncture of chest). The removal of air bubbles prevents the development of dangerous complications such as pneumothorax (Coughing Up Blood).
The Forecast for Patients with Pulmonary Emphysema
In the absence of adequate therapy of emphysema the forecast of disease is unfavorable because the progression of illness (the development of cardiac and respiratory insufficiency) will lead to the early disability. Also, it is necessary to remember that forecasts during emphysema are individual. In most cases, a lot depends on the patients themselves - how thoroughly and seriously they relate to the recommendations of the doctor; whether they are ready to make some sacrifices for the sake of their health (David T. Derrer, 2014).
References
Coughing Up Blood. Bullous Emphysema causes, symptoms and treatment. Retrieved from http://coughingupblood.net/bullous-emphysema-causes-symptoms-treatment/
David T. Derrer. (2014). What is Emphysema? Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-is-emphysema
Markus MacGill. (2015). Emphysema: causes, symptoms and treatments. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8934.php
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Emphysema. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/basics/definition/con-20014218
