Emphysema of the lungs - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Pulmonary diseases affect the organs of the lower respiratory tract. These diseases include emphysema, which is associated with chronic inflammation in the bronchi. There is currently no cure for emphysema. Because of illness respiratory bronchioles and alveolar sacs are destroyedfor efficient gas exchange.

The result of pathological changes in the lungs caused by emphysema is the expansion of air spaces peripherally from the pulmonary bronchioles and damage to the walls of the alveoli. Emphysema may result from untreated or improperly treated bronchial asthma. Respiratory failure is a consequence of the progression of the disease.

The most common causes of emphysema

Pulmonary emphysema is a chronic disease, the development of which is mainly due to smoking and environmental factors, incl. air pollution. Emphysema is the result of prolonged inflammation in the bronchi. The disease is characterized by an irreversible narrowing of the small airways, which leads to an increase in breathing problems. As a result of the disease, the elasticity of the alveoli decreases, which causes excessive effort of breathing.

The main cause of emphysema is active smoking and passive smoking. Other common causes of emphysema include working in hazardous environments, such as in a glass factory. The pollution of the environment in which we live also has a significant impact on the development of emphysema - the development of emphysema can be caused, including smog.

Although emphysema is a disease in its own right, it is a common complication of various lung diseases and is a disease seen in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In rare cases, this is due to congenital disorders of the functioning of the body - emphysema can be caused by a genetic factor - a deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin.

What are the symptoms of emphysema?

The symptoms of emphysema worsen as the disease progresses. Early symptoms of emphysema include wheezing and shortness of breath with little exertion, such as climbing stairs. A characteristic feature of emphysema is also the growing discomfort in the chest, which is initially associated only with physical effort, and eventually occurs at rest.

Over time, the symptoms of the disease intensify and there are more and more prolonged shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, muscle weakness, weight loss, weakening of working capacity, chronic fatigue. The symptoms of emphysema are also cyanosis associated with hypoxia of the body.

Changes in the airways significantly affect the general well-being of patients, preventing normal functioning. With advanced emphysema, extensive damage to the lungs occurs. They cause the formation of large blisters of emphysema.

Symptoms of advanced emphysema include:

• pneumothorax,

• pulmonary hypertension,

• disturbances in the work of the heart muscle.

As a result of progressive changes in the alveoli, symptoms

respiratory failure

gradually intensify. Lack of appropriate treatment and elimination of factors that aggravate the symptoms of the disease and additionally burden the lungs.

leads to a life-threatening situation

.

Emphysema symptoms may worsen over months or even years. They are often underestimated, especially by heavy smokers. It is worth knowing that early abandonment of addiction can not only significantly slow down the course of the disease and reduce the symptoms associated with emphysema, but also reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.

Signs of emphysema are clearly visible on the x-ray. These include flattening of the diaphragm, excessive lightening of the lung fields, and horizontal ribs. As the disease progresses, the appearance of the patient’s chest changes - the chest has a barrel shape.

Diagnosis and treatment of emphysema

The basis for the diagnosis of emphysema is an X-ray examination, which shows changes in the lungs. High-resolution chest CT is performed to confirm the diagnosis. Computed tomography of the chest organs is also performed if surgical treatment of pulmonary emphysema is necessary. Other tests done on patients with emphysema include blood gases and spirometry.

Emphysema treatment

Emphysema is usually treated symptomatically. It is important to slow the progression of the disease and alleviate unpleasant symptoms. To give up smoking. An integral part of the treatment of emphysema is respiratory rehabilitation. The therapeutic procedure also includes drug treatment - bronchodilators, antibiotics, corticosteroids And oxygen therapy. For advanced emphysema, surgery is used to remove lung tissue that has been destroyed by the disease. For severe damage to the lower respiratory tract, treatment for emphysema includes lung transplantation.

Sources:

• “Recommendations of the Polish Society of Lung Diseases for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”. Pneumonology and Allergology Poland 2014, Volume 82, Number 3, Pages 227–263

• A. Romashko-Voitovich, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the light of COVID-19