Your lungs contain several small air sacs known as alveoli, and you can develop emphysema when these air sacs weaken and burst. Emphysema is a lung condition that causes insufficient oxygen to reach your bloodstream, which leads to shortness of breath. It's not always possible to identify when a person develops emphysema, but the condition is often caused by regular exposure to respiratory irritants such as air pollution, tobacco smoke and chemical fumes. Here's an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment approach for emphysema:
Symptoms
It's possible to have no symptoms of emphysema in the early days of developing the condition, but the most common symptom of the condition is shortness of breath, which tends to develop slowly over time. You may find you get breathless doing tasks that previously caused you no problems and you may experience a persistent cough, lightheadedness, fainting and lethargy.
Diagnosis and Treatment Approach
Your doctor will diagnose emphysema by taking details of your symptoms and conducting a physical exam. Blood tests will be carried out to determine how well your lungs are functioning and whether optimal levels of oxygen are being transferred to your bloodstream. Lung function tests will be carried out using a spirometer, which is an apparatus that measures the movement of air in the lungs when you breathe into it. Additionally, diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray or CT scan will be used to determine the condition of your lungs.
There is no cure for emphysema, so this treatment aims to lessen the impact of your symptoms and prevent the condition from progressing and causing additional damage to your lungs. Treatment may include corticosteroids or bronchodilators, which can ease shortness of breath by relaxing your airways. Respiratory rehabilitation may also be recommended, and this involves the use of breathing exercises to expand your lung capacity and reduce breathlessness. Those with severe breathing issues may be given supplemental oxygen to use at home as they need it. When diagnostic imaging shows severe lung damage and symptoms cannot be brought under control, you may require a lung transplant to prevent complete organ failure.
If you have symptoms associated with emphysema, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Most of the tests required to diagnose emphysema can be carried out at your initial appointment, and prompt treatment can allow you to live a normal life and keep your symptoms under control.
