What Is Significant Emphysema?

Emphysema is a lung disease that progressively worsens. Significant emphysema is the point at which a person's ability to breathe is compromised and physical exertion causes severe shortness of breath, meaning that it is an advanced stage of the disease. Emphysema is usually brought about by smoking, and the effects of the disease are irreversible.

Function

Emphysema causes the millions of air sacs in your lungs, called alveoli, to lose their elasticity. They become inflamed from smoking, and air can be trapped inside them. A person with significant emphysema has a very difficult time exhaling. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the system becomes a problem.

Effects

Significant emphysema interferes with your ability to carry on normal activities. Shortness of breath will be the most prominent symptom. You will even have problems breathing when lying down, and colds and flu will take a heavy toll. There normally is no coughing associated with emphysema, but if there is, it will be an "unproductive" cough, meaning no phlegm from the lungs. A loss of appetite will occur with significant emphysema, since it will be hard to breathe while eating. The stomach expands and pushes on the diaphragm, which in turn pushes on the lungs and makes breathing even more difficult. Weight loss ensues, along with fatigue.

Identification

Doctors have many tests to diagnose emphysema. Pulmonary function tests measure how much air your lungs can hold. This is called lung capacity. These tests can also determine how much oxygen is getting into your blood. Pulmonary function tests can detect early stages of emphysema. It is prudent to take these tests if you are a smoker or have quit. Chest X-rays, CT scans and blood gas analysis also can diagnose emphysema.

Considerations

Anyone with significant emphysema will be urged to quit smoking. Those with this level of the disease have been smoking for years and will find quitting a major challenge. Every measure available to help people quit smoking should be utilized, such as support systems, medications like nicotine patches and gum, and prescription medicines that can reduce the cravings.

Prevention/Solution

Although the effects of significant emphysema cannot be undone, there are things that can help. Bronchodilators open airways that have narrowed to make it easier to breathe. Inhaled steroids can offset some of the symptoms associated with bronchitis and asthma in those with emphysema, but there are side effects, such as weakened bones and high blood pressure. The patient can be given supplemental oxygen through a number of devices. Antibiotics can tackle infections that may lead to pneumonia and the flu. Those with significant emphysema are sometimes candidates for lung surgeries.