Emphysema is a degenerative disease that usually develops after many years of smoking or exposure to air pollution. The disease is characterized by the destruction, or breakdown, of the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) located at the end of the bronchial tubes. The damaged alveoli are not able to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood. The bronchioles lose their elasticity and collapse when the person exhales, trapping air in the lungs. The trapped air prevents fresh air and oxygen from entering the lungs. As a result, a person with emphysema feels chronically short of breath. In a small number of patients (2%), the disease is exacerbated by a hereditary deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin [link to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency]
How is emphysema treated?
The most important step is to stop smoking and avoid smoke and other airway irritants. This can be beneficial at any point in the disease. To help treat and control symptoms, the following treatments and lifestyle changes may be recommended:
- Supplemental oxygen
- Avoiding smoke and other irritants
- Following a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Controlling stress
- Taking medications, such as
- Bronchodilators
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Antibiotics
- Flu and pneumonia vaccines to prevent respiratory infections
If your emphysema progresses, you may be evaluated for lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation.
Get more detailed information on emphysema and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
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