Pulmonary emphysema is a respiratory disease caused by the destruction of the lung alveoli, which makes air flow and breathing difficult, leading to symptoms such as rapid breathing, coughing or difficulty breathing, for example.
Pulmonary emphysema is considered a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is more common in people who have smoked for several years, as cigarettes promote the progressive destruction of the lung alveoli. Therefore, to avoid the disease it is important to avoid smoking or staying in environments where there is a lot of cigarette smoke.
The treatment of pulmonary emphysema is carried out by a pulmonologist, who may recommend the use of medicines to expand the airways, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, respiratory physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, or in more serious cases, surgery or even lung transplantation.
Symptoms of pulmonary emphysema
The main symptoms of pulmonary emphysema are:
- Difficulty breathing;
- Chronic shortness of breath;
- Cough;
- Rapid and panting breathing;
- Sensation of noise or wheezing in the chest when breathing;
- Shortness of breath during exertion;
- Production of a lot of phlegm;
- Feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Weight loss.
The symptoms of pulmonary emphysema can begin gradually and worsen as the lung alveoli are destroyed, mainly by cigarette smoke. It is important to stop smoking and consult a pulmonologist so that the most appropriate treatment can be diagnosed and initiated in the most appropriate manner. precocious. See other symptoms that may indicate pulmonary emphysema.
In the more advanced stages of pulmonary emphysema, other symptoms related to the low amount of oxygen in the body may also appear, such as bluish or purplish lips or nails, increased heart rate or mental confusion. In these cases, medical care or emergency care should be sought as quickly as possible to avoid complications, such as respiratory failure, for example.
Online symptom test
Pulmonary emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To find out your chances of having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, please select the symptoms you present:
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema is made by a pulmonologist through the evaluation of symptoms, health history, lifestyle habits, physical examination and specific tests such as spirometry.
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The doctor can also perform an oximetry test, placing a device on one of the fingers of the hand to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. If your oxygen saturation is low, your doctor may order an arterial blood gas analysis. Find out how arterial blood gas analysis is performed.
Furthermore, to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema, the doctor must order tests such as spirometry, which measures the volume of air inspired to check whether they are satisfactory or not, or chest X-ray or computed tomography exams.
In the case of young people with symptoms of pulmonary emphysema, the doctor may also request a test to check for alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), which is a protein responsible for promoting the elasticity of lung structures.
Possible causes
Pulmonary emphysema is caused by the destruction of a large number of alveoli, which are small structures within the lung responsible for gas exchange and entry of oxygen into the bloodstream, in addition to compromising the lung’s ability to expand.
The main causes of destruction of the alveoli and development of pulmonary emphysema are:
- Habit of smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or VAPE, for example;
- Chronic exposure to environmental pollution;
- Exposure to dust, gases or chemicals, especially due to occupation, such as working in factories or transporting cargo;
- Frequent exposure to smoke from wood or coal stoves;
- Work in charcoal factories;
- Have frequent contact with fires, as in the case of firefighters;
- Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).
These conditions can cause progressive destruction of the lung alveoli, meaning that oxygen cannot adequately enter the body, leading to the appearance of symptoms.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of pulmonary emphysema is carried out under the guidance of a pulmonologist, as it is necessary to adapt it to the symptoms presented and the degree of development of the disease. In all cases, it is important to avoid smoking and not stay in places with a lot of pollution or smoke.
In addition, bronchodilators or corticosteroids may be prescribed in the form of an inhaler, such as salbutamol, salmeterol, beclomethasone or budesonide, to dilate lung structures and help air enter, or relieve inflammation of the airways and reduce difficulty breathing. breathe.
The doctor may also recommend respiratory physiotherapy sessions, which use exercises that help expand the lungs and increase oxygen levels in the body. See how pulmonary emphysema is treated.
In more serious cases of pulmonary emphysema, oxygen therapy or even surgery to remove the damaged parts of the lung or lung transplantation may also be recommended by the pulmonologist.
Lung emphysema turns into cancer?
Pulmonary emphysema is not cancer, however, its main cause is smoking, which is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer. See other causes of lung cancer.
How to prevent pulmonary emphysema
The best way to prevent emphysema is not to smoke, but not staying in places where there is cigarette smoke is also important. Other ways include treating any respiratory infection, such as flu, cold, bronchitis and pneumonia, as soon as possible. Other tips are:
- Avoid air pollutants, indoor air fresheners, chlorine and other products with strong smells;
- Avoid strong emotions such as anger, aggression, anxiety and stress;
- Avoid staying in extreme temperatures, whether in very hot or very cold places;
- Avoid staying near bonfires or barbecues because of the smoke;
- Avoid staying in foggy places, as the air quality is poor;
- Get the flu vaccine every year;
- Follow up regularly with a pulmonologist.
In addition, you must have a healthy and balanced diet, preferring vegetables, fruits, whole grains and vegetables, increasingly reducing the consumption of industrialized, processed and salt-rich foods. Drinking ginger tea regularly is a good prevention strategy because it is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, being useful for keeping cells healthy.
