How to Recognize Emphysema Symptoms
Experts have identified a basic list of 10 symptoms associated with emphysema. While not all patients have all symptoms, most people who suffer from emphysema experience most of these signs at some point or another. Learning to recognize the symptoms is important, as emphysema can bring about serious consequences if not treated early and properly.
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Instructions
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Look for difficulties in breathing, such as wheezing, shortness of breath and/or breathlessness after physical activity. This can escalate to the point where the simple act of walking up a set of stairs results in serious breathing difficulty. Most of the breathing problems associated with emphysema occur during exhalation rather than inhalation, which differentiates them from bronchitis and many other respiratory conditions.
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Pay attention to the presence of cyanosis, or blue skin. Cyanosis is caused by a lack of oxygen and can be temporary or ongoing. Cyanosis is simply a symptom and does not pose a serious health threat in and of itself. People who have emphysema sometimes experience blue lips, especially after a strenuous period of exercise or activity.
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Identify barrel-chestedness, a condition in which the chest remains inflated past its normal state. This is caused by air getting trapped inside the lungs rather than fully coming out during exhalation. It causes the chest to appear larger than normal, as if the person were intentionally holding onto her breath to appear larger.
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Look for instances of coughing that don't go away, especially if accompanied by sputum. One of the symptoms of emphysema is excessive mucus production, although this doesn't happen in every case. Excessive mucus production is also a symptom of respiratory conditions such as bronchitis.
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Recognize symptoms beyond those directly related to breathing difficulties, such as finger clubbing. This is a condition caused by the accumulation of liquids and swelling of the fingers, especially around the nail. Finger clubbing is usually a direct result of a chronic lung problems, so it is sometimes used by doctors to differentiate emphysema from simpler problems.
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Tips & Warnings
Jot down any symptoms you notice before you go to the doctor. Keeping a list will help you pay closer attention to your own body and will assist your doctor during your appointment.
Consult your doctor if you have signs of anything that mimics bronchitis but doesn't go away after a couple of weeks. Emphysema is easy to misdiagnose, because its symptoms are quite similar to other, less serious respiratory diseases.
