What is “Emphysema”
Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The main cause of emphysema is smoking. Other causes that people are not aware of include inhaling toxic smoke.
Causes
- Inhaling of dust, gas or small chemical particles
- Both smoking cigarettes or inhaling secondhand smoke or residuals from it such as tobacco smoke odor on clothes and sofas.
- Genetics can be another cause of emphysema as some people have genetic abnormalities, which cause ineffectiveness of lung function. People with lung abnormalities since young have a higher risk of emphysema.
Symptoms
- Patients with emphysema have difficulty breathing, especially when moving the body or exerting force during delivering a child.
- Have persistent cough with phlegm
- Wheezing along with chest pain
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Experience fatigue
- Lips or fingernails turn purplish-blue
- Suffer from depression
People who develop emphysema have increased risk of bronchitis and other lung infections. Too much air trapped in the lungs can give some patients a barrel-chested appearance.
Prevention
- Avoid breathing secondhand smoke, dust, and toxic substance
Stop smoking. If working under a condition that requires exposure to dust, wearing a standardized mask is advisable.
