Emphysema: A classic issue everyone should be aware of, especially smokers, because it is a disease that may occur “if you continue to smoke”
What is the nature of emphysema?
It is a disease caused by continuous irritation, leading to chronic inflammation in the bronchi. The bronchi produce more mucus, which is thicker than normal, eventually causing bronchial obstruction. In the lung tissue, the alveoli are damaged, reducing the surface area of the lung tissue available for oxygen exchange.
Symptoms of emphysema
Patients will have chronic cough with a lot of mucus, causing easy breathlessness, especially during exercise.
Causes of emphysema
The main cause of the disease is smoking. Other causes include pollution and various types of combustion.
Diagnosis of emphysema
Doctors will consider the medical history, smoking history, along with symptoms such as progressively worsening breathlessness, chronic cough with mucus, chest tightness, and wheezing. Additionally, chest X-rays and lung function tests will be performed.
Can emphysema be completely cured after treatment?
This disease is not curable because the damaged lung tissue cannot return to normal. The goal of treatment is to prevent and slow disease progression, reduce breathlessness, enable patients to live independently, and prevent disease exacerbation. Doctors will consider prescribing both oral and inhaled medications.
Final advice
Patients must quit smoking, avoid pollution, take medications or use inhalers as prescribed by doctors, get an annual flu vaccine, exercise regularly, maintain good nutrition, and take care to avoid catching colds for good health.
