Emphysema of the Lung Symptoms
Emphysema of the lungs is a disease characterized by an increase in air spaces of the lungs distal to terminal bronchioles and as a result, destruction of lung tissue and irreversible increase in alveoli( air sacs), which supply oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from it.
It is usually observed in chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, which occur with violation of bronchial patency. This gradually develops the expansion of the alveoli with subsequent destructive changes in their walls. As a result, the amount of air that is not removed and after a deep exhalation( residual air) increases in the lungs.
As the walls of the alveoli gradually thicken, they lose elasticity, and their ability to expel air from the lungs during exhalation decreases. As a result, the affected air sacs can not be properly filled with fresh air during inspiration and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and blood is disturbed. This leads to shortness of breath, which is typical for emphysema.
Initially, emphysema develops gradually;symptoms usually appear after 50 years, but irreversible damage to the lungs can occur long before the symptoms become strong enough to attract the attention of doctors. The beginning of such damage can put smoking or other irritants, which lead to the destruction of lung tissue.
Emphysema can be acute and chronic. Acute increase in airy lungs can be, for example, with an attack of bronchial asthma, sometimes with severe influenza with bronchitis and partial obturation of the bronchi. Transient emphysema is observed on the healthy side or in healthy parts of the lungs with pneumothorax, atelectasis, lung infiltrates.
Like chronic bronchitis, emphysema is one of the main lung diseases that are related to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
Chronic emphysema is characterized by shortness of breath, cough( due to concomitant bronchitis), cyanosis.
Dyspnoea initially occurs only with physical exertion, gradually it increases and with pronounced emphysema becomes permanent. Cyanosis is diffuse, uniform and is not accompanied by cooling of the extremities( which distinguishes it from cyanosis in heart failure).The thorax is usually dilated with an increase in its anteroposterior size, it has a barrel-like appearance. The angle formed by the costal arches, usually greater than the straight, reaches 120 °.When percussion of the lungs, a boxed sound is determined, especially pronounced in the lower-lateral parts of the thorax. The lower border of the lungs is usually omitted, the mobility of the lower edge of the lung is limited. With auscultation of the lungs, breathing is weakened, however, due to the presence of concomitant bronchial lesions, it can be stiff with prolonged exhalation and dry or wet wheezing. With the prolonged course of emphysema and bronchitis due to pulmonary hypertension and overload of the right ventricle, its hypertrophy develops, and then a deficiency with congestive phenomena in the large circulation. In this case, a pulsation in the epigastric region is detected, which is associated with an increase in the right ventricle. With its insufficiency, the liver is enlarged. Usually there is a tendency to tachycardia. Erythrocytosis is often observed in the blood. In the study of the function of external respiration, a decrease in the vital capacity of the lungs, the parameters of pneumotachometry, and the forced vital capacity( the volume of air in the first second with forced expiration) is revealed. The volume of residual air rises. The disease flows chronically with the gradual progression of respiratory failure and a chronic pulmonary heart.
Treatment and prevention are primarily aimed at the diseases associated with the development of emphysema. It is necessary timely treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. According to the indications, anti-infective therapy is administered, bronchodilators are prescribed( euphyllinum, ephedrine).
With pulmonary emphysema, exercise therapy, respiratory gymnastics, spa treatment in conditions of dry warm climate are of great importance. Special exercises are recommended to restore the lower thoracic, diaphragmatic type of breathing. In some cases artificial respiration is used with the help of special apparatuses. In the presence of pulmonary and cardiac insufficiency, physical activity, inhalation of oxygen, diuretics, cardiovascular agents are necessary.
• The only way to prevent emphysema is to avoid smoking. Although almost all smokers suffer from some damage to the lungs, giving up cigarettes can prevent further organ damage.
• Consult a doctor if you experience shortness of breath or if the symptoms of emphysema become more severe.