Have you ever heard of emphysema? Emphysema is a chronic disease that can affect the condition of your lungs. There are many causes of emphysema such as smoking, exposure to chemicals, and a polluted environment. Find out more about how to prevent someone from getting emphysema, especially those caused by bacteria.
Most emphysema sufferers also have chronic bronchitis problems.
Also Read: 3 Main Symptoms of Emphysema, and How to Treat Them
What is Emphysema and its causes?
Emphysema is a disease that damages the lung organs. Emphysema sufferers can feel short of breath because the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are initially damaged, causing the inside of the air sacs to become weak and rupture.
This condition creates many larger air spaces, where normally the air space should be small. This then has an impact on reducing the surface area of the lungs, as well as resulting in a reduced amount of oxygen reaching the bloodstream.
When emphysema sufferers exhale, the damaged alveoli do not work properly and the air that should come out becomes trapped, so there is no longer any place for fresh, oxygen-rich air to enter.
Most emphysema sufferers also have bronchitis problem chronic. A disease that causes inflammation of the tubes that carry air to your lungs (bronchial tubes), as a result of which the patient will experience a cough that occurs continuously (persistent).
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two conditions that form it chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). So what causes emphysema? The main cause of emphysema is smoking. A person can develop emphysema after years of smoking. Other risk factors, such as air pollution, exposure to chemical fumes, genetic factors, and respiratory infections can also cause emphysema.
Also read: Lung Inflammation (Pneumonia) that you need to watch out for
What are the symptoms that arise in emphysema sufferers?
There are several symptoms that arise when someone is attacked by emphysema, including the following:
Long-term coughWheezingShortness of breath, especially during light exercise or climbing stepsFeeling as if you are having trouble getting enough airTightness in your chestIncreased mucus productionAbnormal mucus color (yellow or green)Prolonged fatigueHeart problemsHard to sleepOften feeling anxious and leads to depression, weight loss
Also read: How do bacteria cause disease? Know Bacterial Infections and the Length of Healing Time
How to Prevent Someone from Getting Emphysema?
The best way to prevent someone from developing emphysema is to avoid smoking. Additionally, take these steps to reduce your risk of developing emphysema:
1. Avoid burning smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, dust, pollen, and pets.
2. Use a mask when working or living in areas with exposure to chemicals and polluted environments.
3. Test your home for radon, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and can cause lung cancer.
Heart problems are one of the symptoms that arise when someone has emphysema.
How is Emphysema Treated?
Emphysema can get worse over time, so treatment will focus on slowing the effects of emphysema and maximizing the function of your healthy lungs. The types of treatment for emphysema can vary, depending on the severity. Treatment options include:
1. Quit Smoking
Smoking is the main cause of someone developing emphysema. If you smoke, the best way to slow down emphysema is to stop smoking altogether. This is the main step you can take, to protect your lungs.
2. Bronchodilators
These medications can relax the muscles around your airways. When these muscles relax, more air will enter and leave the lungs. They are faster and more effective than oral medications. Bronchodilators can also help treat asthma and other lung problems.
3. Inhaled Corticosteroids
Inhaled corticosteroids can reduce swelling in the airways and mucus production. You may need to take inhaled corticosteroids every day to help prevent symptoms of emphysema.
4. Corticosteroid Oral
Oral corticosteroids may also be prescribed, when emphysema sufferers experience exacerbations (worsening of symptoms of acute respiratory problems) and emphysema.
Also read: Symptoms of Bronchitis
5. Antibiotics
Antibiotics can also help treat bacterial infections, including emphysema, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung infections.
6. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
This drug can be used to reduce inflammation in your airways, due to emphysema.
7. Terapi Oksien
If your lungs are not getting enough oxygen and this is causing a lack of oxygen in your blood (hypoxemia), undergoing oxygen therapy can help. The therapy machine will provide more oxygen through a nasal catheter or facemask. A nasal catheter is a flexible tube that will be inserted into your nose.
8. Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
This operation aims to remove part of the diseased lung tissue, and combine it with the remaining healthy tissue. Removing damaged tissue can relieve pressure on respiratory muscles and help improve the lungs’ ability to stretch. The results of this surgery are usually quite promising, but not all emphysema patients will be advised to take this surgery.
9. Bronchoscopy Lung Volume Reduction
During lung volume reduction bronchoscopy, your doctor will place a one-way valve into your airway. The valve allows air trapped in the lungs to escape, making it easier for you to breathe. This helps reduce the amount of “trapped” air that is in the lungs and makes it easier to breathe. Not everyone with emphysema is recommended for this procedure.
10. Lung Transplant
If you have severe emphysema, and your lungs do not improve after various treatments, a lung transplant will be performed to replace your damaged lungs with healthy donor lungs.
A person cannot be cured of emphysema, but proper treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve the sufferer’s quality of life. Other interventions can also be carried out, to prevent further damage that can occur in emphysema patients.
Has been reviewed by Dr. Miqdad Arya Putra
Source:
2023-10-13 01:32:30
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