Emphysema

What is emphysema?

Emphysema, a disease in which the alveoli in the lung structure are damaged, causes the air exchange in the lung to be disrupted. Patients with emphysema have particular difficulty during exercise. Emphysema causes the lungs to lose their elasticity. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main subtypes of COPD.

Emphysema is subdivided according to the areas of the lungs affected. These subtypes are as follows.

Paraseptal Emphysema

In this subtype of emphysema, the alveoli at the edges of the lung are damaged.

Centrilobular Emphysema (Centriacinar Emphysema)

It is a type of emphysema in which the alveoli in the upper lobes of the lung are affected.

Panlobular emphysema

It is a combination of both paraseptal and centrilobular emphysema.

Emphysema Symptoms

The onset of emphysema symptoms in smokers usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 60. However, the destruction of the lungs starts much earlier. In patients with emphysema, the muscles that help breathing have to work harder. For this reason, patients get tired more quickly. Therefore, they have difficulty breathing even after mild exercise.

The first symptom of emphysema is usually shortness of breath. In addition, the symptoms seen in early emphysema patients are as follows.

• Chest tightness
• Pain in the chest
• Persistent cough
• wheezing

In case of progression of emphysema, the symptoms seen in patients are as follows.

• Weight loss,
• Headache
• Recurrent lung infections,
• Fatigue
• Bruising of the lips and nails,
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Loss of appetite,

Causes of emphysema

There are two most common causes of emphysema. The first of these is smoking. Emphysema is 6 times more common in smokers than in the normal population.

Another common cause of emphysema is AAT deficiency. One of the proteins found in the blood of healthy people, AAT's main role is to prevent white blood cells from damaging the body's healthy tissues. The role of white blood cells in the body is to prevent infection. Some people have less AAT due to genetic factors. In this case, white blood cells can damage the tissue of the lungs.

The risk of emphysema is significantly increased in people who both smoke and have AAT deficiency. People with AAT deficiency are also likely to have liver problems.

Other causes of emphysema include passive smoking. It is also known that inhaled irritants due to exposure to air pollution are also effective in the development of emphysema.

How is emphysema diagnosed?

The presence of emphysema symptoms is not enough for a patient to be diagnosed. In addition to a detailed physical examination, some diagnostic tests should be performed in order for patients to be diagnosed. The definitive diagnosis is usually based on lung function tests.

Another test that tests the working capacity of the lungs is spirometry. In addition, imaging methods such as computed tomography or X-rays are also used.

Emphysema Treatment

Emphysema is a disease that cannot be completely cured. The destruction caused by emphysema is irreversible. For this reason, emphysema treatment is used to stop the progression of the disease and reduce the symptoms of the patients.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation patients are taught correct breathing techniques. Regular exercises are applied for patients to adapt to the new techniques and make them habitual. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients to reduce complaints such as shortness of breath.

Nutrition Therapy

A significant proportion of patients in the early stages of emphysema are above their ideal weight. This one Therefore, these patients can reach their ideal weight and breathe more easily.

In the later stages of the disease, patients begin to experience eating disorders. For this reason, patients lose weight rapidly. Nutritional therapies are also applied to help patients return to their ideal weight.

Oxygen Support

Patients with advanced emphysema have severe drops in oxygen in their blood. This is why they need oxygen supply. Most patients with advanced emphysema require 24-hour oxygen supplementation. This is why they need home oxygen devices.

Emphysema Surgery Reduces Lung Capacity

In this surgery, the damaged tissues caused by emphysema are removed. This allows the remaining healthy lung tissue to continue working more efficiently.

Lung Transplant

Lung transplantation is performed when the damage to the lung is too great and there are no treatment options.

What to Do to Avoid Complications of Emphysema

Quitting smoking is an important factor in both improving general health and halting the progression of emphysema.

Shortness of breath with emphysema makes it difficult to exercise, but patients should not give up moving. Because regular exercise increases lung capacity.

People with emphysema need to protect themselves in cold weather. Because cold weather causes narrowing of the airways. For this reason, patients who need to go out in cold weather should take precautions such as masks.

Lung infections are common in patients with emphysema. For this reason, patients should get their pneumonia vaccinations regularly. People with emphysema should protect themselves from illnesses such as flu and colds. For this reason, they should not be in crowded environments, especially during the flu season.

Emphysema Nutrition

Patients in the early stages of emphysema are usually above their ideal weight. Patients are overweight, which makes it difficult for them to breathe. For this reason, their nutrition should be regulated and they should return to their ideal weight with nutrition programs prepared according to the person.

In the advanced stages of emphysema, patients lose weight severely and their immune systems weaken. These patients should also return to their ideal weight with healthy eating habits and support their immune system with nutrition.