Emphysema Emphysema, along with other diseases, is collectively known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This disease damages the alveoli, also known as air sacs. Shortness of breath results as the alveoli are gradually damaged. The leading cause of emphysema is smoking, but this disease can also be caused by long-term exposure to other airborne irritants. Emphysema can be present in the body for years without any symptoms. The main symptom of this disease is shortness of breath, which occurs gradually. This shortness of breath gets worse over time and will eventually be noticed at rest. Emphysema causes for people to avoid exercise due to the shortness of breath. Other symptoms of this disease could include blue or grey fingernails
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Emphysema starts as the tissues between air sacs are destroyed and air pockets in the lungs form as a result. The air is then trapped in the damaged lung tissue. After the air is trapped, the lungs begin to enlarge and breathing then requires more effort. The inner walls of the air sacs weaken and eventually rupture with emphysema. This rupture causes one large air space instead of many small air spaces. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and also reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream. With emphysema, the body does not get the amount of oxygen it needs. This problem of air being trapped is known as airflow limitation. A person with airflow limitation takes a much longer amount of time to empty the air from the lungs. When a person with emphysema exhales, the damaged alveoli do not work properly and old air becomes trapped. This causes for there to be no room for fresh, oxygen-rich, air to enter, which is a …show more content…
Different tests can be used to determine if a person has emphysema. Imaging tests, lab tests, and lung function tests are are all tests that are used by doctors to determine if emphysema is present. A chest X-Ray can help determine sever cases of emphysema. Lab tests, such as blood tests, are used to determine how well the lungs are transferring oxygen into, and removing carbon dioxide, from the bloodstream. Lung function tests, such as the spirometer, is used to measure how much air the lungs can hold and how well the air flows in and out of the lungs. All of these tests can be used to help determine if somebody has
Emphysema starts as the tissues between air sacs are destroyed and air pockets in the lungs form as a result. The air is then trapped in the damaged lung tissue. After the air is trapped, the lungs begin to enlarge and breathing then requires more effort. The inner walls of the air sacs weaken and eventually rupture with emphysema. This rupture causes one large air space instead of many small air spaces. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and also reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream. With emphysema, the body does not get the amount of oxygen it needs. This problem of air being trapped is known as airflow limitation. A person with airflow limitation takes a much longer amount of time to empty the air from the lungs. When a person with emphysema exhales, the damaged alveoli do not work properly and old air becomes trapped. This causes for there to be no room for fresh, oxygen-rich, air to enter, which is a …show more content…
Different tests can be used to determine if a person has emphysema. Imaging tests, lab tests, and lung function tests are are all tests that are used by doctors to determine if emphysema is present. A chest X-Ray can help determine sever cases of emphysema. Lab tests, such as blood tests, are used to determine how well the lungs are transferring oxygen into, and removing carbon dioxide, from the bloodstream. Lung function tests, such as the spirometer, is used to measure how much air the lungs can hold and how well the air flows in and out of the lungs. All of these tests can be used to help determine if somebody has