Smoking and Emphysema

Emphysema is a disease that affects the ability of someone to breathe normally. Emphysema affects the air sacs in the walls of the lungs' airways. As it progresses, the air sacs become damaged and are unable to handle the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Symptoms of Emphysema

The primary symptom of emphysema is generally shortness of breath. It take a long time for this condition to develop, hence you may not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed into advanced stages. As the disease advances, breathing will become more difficult. It will also become harder to perform everyday physical activities. Other symptoms could include a chronic cough, loss of appetite or fatigue.

When you breathe, air passes through airways all the way into millions of air sacs. These air sacs allow oxygen to enter into the blood stream and aid in the process of releasing carbon dioxide. This process is essential to any healthy set of lungs. When emphysema strikes, these air sacs are destroyed and the normal flow of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide is disrupted. As the disease progresses these air sacs are damaged even more, making it even harder to breathe in and to exhale.

Smoking causes emphysema

Smoking is one of the most common causes of emphysema. When you inhale while you smoke, the toxins of the tobacco smoke actually paralyze one of the first layers of defense to infection in the lungs known as the cilia, or the tiny hairs that line your airways. The cilia are what block germs and other irritants from getting deeper into the lungs. However, when these cilia are unable to do their job, irritants are able to reach the air sacs. The air sacs are then damaged and unable to take in and push out air properly.

Tests for emphysema

If your doctor suspects you have emphysema, he or she may perform certain tests to determine a proper diagnosis. These tests could include a pulmonary function test, otherwise known as a PFT. This test measures the amount of air capacity your lungs have, and it's a noninvasive test. Another common test is a chest x-ray which will help determine if there are any other issues with the lungs. A specific blood test will help your doctor measure how your body is able to efficiently remove carbon dioxide.

Treatment for emphysema

Treatment for emphysema should first and foremost include a plan for quitting smoking. It may not be easy but to prevent even further damage to the lungs there simply is no other choice. Other treatments include taking supplemental oxygen or inhaled steroids.

If you have been diagnosed with emphysema and you're a smoker, you also have legal options. Recent court rulings have created an opportunity to hold tobacco companies accountable for your resulting condition. However, you only have a certain amount of time, so you need to contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights.