Emphysema
Emphysema: Introduction
Emphysema is a chronic, ongoing, progressive disease of the lower respiratory tract in the lungs. It is one type of or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The hallmark of emphysema is difficulty with breathing that slowly gets worse over time. It is a seriously disabling disease with the potential for major complications and is often eventually fatal. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, emphysema/COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
The disease develops most often as a result of smoking, but can also occur from long-term inhalation of other irritants into the lungs and rarely, and rarely due to hereditary factors. Emphysema most often develops when irritants are breathed into the respiratory tract and into the bronchioles, small hollow passageways that branch off the main airway from the mouth and nose. Normally, air and needed oxygen pass through the bronchioles into the alveoli, tiny hollow sack-like structures in the lungs where oxygen is absorbed in to the bloodstream. When air is mixed with smoke or irritants, it can damage the lungs and their ability to take in enough oxygen. Long-term inhalation of irritants results in a loss of elasticity in the bronchioles and alveoli, destruction of the walls between alveoli. The longer the lungs are exposed to smoke or irritants, the more likely it is that you will develop emphysema. Emphysema is usually diagnosed in middle-age or elderly people, but it can happen younger in life. It is also more common in men than women. ...more »
Emphysema: Symptoms
Symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, especially with exertion, wheezing (a whistling sound made with breathing) and chest tightness. Symptoms can also include an ongoing loose cough that produces large amount of mucus (smoker's cough). This is often the result of chronic bronchitis, another form of COPD that often accompanies emphysema. Other symptoms can include ...more »
Emphysema: Treatments
There is no cure for emphysema, and the permanent damage done to the airways in the lungs is not reversible. With regular medical care and consistent patient compliance with treatments and lifestyle changes, the symptoms of emphysema can be minimized and progression of the disease can be slowed. The treatment goal for people living with emphysema is to control symptoms to a ...more »
Symptoms of Emphysema
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symptoms of Emphysema
Treatments for Emphysema
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treatments for Emphysema
Wrongly Diagnosed with Emphysema?
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Emphysema: Related Patient Stories
News Archives for Emphysema
Medical news articles related to Emphysema include:
Source: HealthDay News
Types of Emphysema
- Smoker’s emphysema - common form, also called nonfamilial emphysema; about 15-20% of smokers get Emphysema
- Familial emphysema - a rare genetic inherited form, often arising earlier (30's or 40's).
- more types...»
Read more about Types of Emphysema
Curable Types of Emphysema
Possibly curable types of Emphysema include:
- Smoking induced Emphysema
- Occupational exposure induced Emphysema
- Air pollution induced Emphysema
- more types...»
Rare Types of Emphysema:
Rare types of Emphysema include:
Emphysema: Complications
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Causes of Emphysema
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causes of Emphysema
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Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical testing related to Emphysema:
- Smoking-Related Disorders: Home Testing:
- Lung & Respiratory Health Tests:
- Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
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Disease Topics Related To Emphysema
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Medical Textbooks Online about Emphysema
Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Emphysema: Self Assessment Tools
Emphysema: Medical Mistakes
Emphysema: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
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Emphysema: Undiagnosed Conditions
Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:
Misdiagnosis and Emphysema
Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis,
when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection,
such as a common cold....read more »
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immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears
off after about 15 years....read more »
Chronic lung diseases hard to diagnose: Some of the chronic lung diseases
are difficult to diagnose.
Even the well-knowns conditions such as ...read more »
Severe asthma is a medical emergency: Severe asthma is a life
threatening condition that is resistant to standard treatment and requires
intensive medication to overcome the...read more »
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Emphysema: Research Doctors & Specialists
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Hospitals & Clinics: Emphysema
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Choosing the Best Hospital:
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Emphysema: Rare Types
Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:
Latest Treatments for Emphysema
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latest treatments for Emphysema
Emphysema: Animations
Patient Surveys for Emphysema
Prognosis for Emphysema
Prognosis for Emphysema:
Emphysema is an irreversible degenerative condition. The most important measure to slow its progression is for the patient to stop smoking and avoid all exposure to cigarette smoke and lung irritants. Pulmonary rehabilitation can be very helpful to optimize the patient's quality of life.
More about prognosis of Emphysema
Reseach about Emphysema
Visit our research pages for current research about Emphysema treatments.
Clinical Trials for Emphysema
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally
and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Emphysema include:
See full list of 108
Clinical Trials for Emphysema
Prevention of Emphysema
Prevention information for Emphysema has been compiled from various data sources
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Emphysema.
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Statistics for Emphysema
Emphysema: Broader Related Topics
Types of Emphysema
Emphysema Message Boards
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Definitions of Emphysema:
A subcategory of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It occurs in people who smoke and suffer from chronic bronchitis. It is characterized by inflation of the alveoli, alveolar wall damage, and reduction in the number of alveoli, resulting in difficulty breathing. Alveoli are the vital lung structures where the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. -- 2004
- (Source - Diseases Database)
An abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic bronchitis or old age
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
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