About Early Stages of Emphysema

Emphysema is linked to environmental pollutants, aerosol sprays and auto emissions. But the most common causes of emphysema are the exposure to long-term smoking as well as secondhand smoke. In the later stages of the disease, emphysema suffers can experience debilitating breathing difficulties which can lead to further complications, even death. But the early stages of emphysema may cause only minor symptoms that may progressively worsen.

Identification

When discussing the early stages of emphysema, it is important to first understand what emphysema is and how it affects the body. Considered a respiratory illness, emphysema often results in breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath. Tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) can begin to break down, resulting in irreparable damage that narrows the airways.

Types

The early stages of emphysema are broken down into two categories that are relative to the disease symptoms. The first, is referred to the "at risk of developing" category in which the patient displays very minor symptoms that are no more than a slight cough that is accompanied by mucus. In the second category, mild emphysema, the patient will experience the same symptoms as those in the first category except that the symptoms will begin to occur more often. The two categories that are associated with the early stages of emphysema do not contain any symptoms that denote breathing difficulties.

Considerations

If you suspect that you may be experiencing symptoms that are associated with the early stages of emphysema, you may wish to consider discussing your symptoms with your doctor. Early stage emphysema detection is conducted through a spirometry test, which is performed in a pulmonologist's office. The spirometry test is simply a deep breathing test, which will determine how much air is flowing in and out of your lungs. If you do not know of a pulmonologist in your area, your doctor can refer you.

Expert Insight

Although there is no cure for emphysema, there are treatments that can help to reduce its symptoms. Expectorants are often used in the early stages of emphysema to loosen mucus and a bronchodilator can also help to increase lung function and prevent the settling of mucus that leads to coughing. In cases of upper respiratory infection, antibiotics are administered promptly to alleviate any further complications. Deep breathing exercises are also considered for patients that are in the early stages of emphysema to help loosen mucus and increase lung function.

Prevention/Solution

The damage that is caused to the lungs by emphysema is irreversible, but progression and further damage can be decreased considerably with smoking cessation during the early stages of the disease. Patients who have been diagnosed with emphysema are also urged to discontinue their smoking habits for treatments to be effective. Those with a family history of emphysema should consider a smoke free-lifestyle to reduce their risks of acquiring the disease.

Resources

• Emphysema
• Aetna Intelihealth
• Penn State