Emphysema (Pulmonary emphysema)

Overview

Emphysema is an incurable disease that gradually destroys your lung's elasticity and makes it difficult to exhale air. Both men and women can develop emphysema and it typically shows up in people between the ages of 50 and 70 who smoke. Although it is a preventable disease some 1100 Canadians die of emphysema each year. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis together make up chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD a leading cause of death in Canada. People who suffer from COPD often have a chronic cough.

Causes

The lungs have elastic fibres that allow them to expand and contract with every breath we take. Emphysema occurs when a breakdown in the chemical balance that protects the lungs against the destruction of the elastic fibres occurs. This results in over-inflation of the alveoli (air sacs) and permanent holes in the tissues of the lower lungs which cause a decrease in respiratory function. The damage cannot be repaired.

The vast majority of people who develop emphysema are long-term smokers (up to 85% of all cases). Some people are born with a deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin a protein whose primary function is to protect the lung's elasticity but this is a rare form of the disease. Others may have suffered damage to their bronchial tubes and lungs after working in environments where they experienced long-term exposure to air pollution or irritating fumes and dust.

Symptoms

The symptoms of emphysema will appear gradually over time perhaps starting with frequent colds accompanied by coughing or bronchitis. The cough may persist even after the cold goes away. However the hallmark symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath which can also be mistaken for heart disease or some other condition. You may also experience:
  • wheezing
  • fatigue
  • anxiety or depression
  • insomnia
  • heart problems
  • weight loss

Treatment

There is no cure for emphysema. If smoking continues and the condition is left untreated it will become more and more difficult for you to breathe as the heart is forced to work harder to pump blood. This may lead to heart failure. If you have been diagnosed with emphysema the only way to stop this inevitable progression of the disease is to stop smoking. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for infections and there are also drugs available to ease an asthma-like condition that often develops along with emphysema. Oxygen therapy may be recommended.

Prevention

You will significantly lower your risks of developing emphysema if you:

  • don't smoke
  • avoid second-hand smoke
  • avoid polluted air when possible
  • keep physically fit