Emphysema | A Respiratory Disorder | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

EMPHYSEMA Emphysema is a condition that involves damage to the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung. Normally, these sacs are elastic or stretchy. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air, like a small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sacs deflate, and the air goes out. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture — creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and, in turn, the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream. When you exhale, the damaged alveoli don't work properly and old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air to enter. Causes The main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, including: • Tobacco smoke • Marijuana smoke • Air pollution • Chemical fumes and dust Rarely, emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein that protects the elastic structures in the lungs. It's called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema. Symptoms Symptoms of emphysema may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and an increased production of mucus. Prevention To prevent emphysema, don't smoke and avoid breathing secondhand smoke. Wear a mask to protect your lungs if you work with chemical fumes or dust. Treatments There is no cure for emphysema. However, treatments can help with symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and improve your ability to stay active. Lifestyle changes, Medicines, such as Bronchodilators. Oxygen therapy, #LowerRespiratoryDisorder #COPD