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Effects of emphysema

Updated: 9/7/2023
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15y ago

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Emphysema is a disease of the lung tissue caused by destruction of structures feeding the alveoli, in some cases owing to the consequences of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Smoking is one major cause of this destruction, which results in the collapse of small airways in the lungs during forced exhalation. As a result, airflow is impeded and air becomes trapped, just as in other obstructive lung diseases. Symptoms include shortness of breath ("dyspnea") on exertion and an expanded chest.

People with this disease do not get enough oxygen and suffer a buildup of carbon dioxide in their blood, which generates dyspnea. At first, when emphysema is mild, dyspnea occurs only during physical activity. Eventually, as the disease progresses, dyspnea will occur after even small amounts of physical exertion. On the other hand, if the lungs are compromised badly enough, the victim may feel short of breath all the time - even when at rest, relaxing. Because breathing is more difficult, the person must use accessory muscles to help them breathe; the increased work of breathing, use of additional muscles, and blood gas abnormalities then combine to cause "tachypnea" (rapid breathing), which may continue in a vicious cycle. Individuals with severe emphysema eventually may have trouble coughing and decreased amounts of sputum. They may also lose weight.

The anteroposterior diameter of their chest may increase; this sign is sometimes referred as "barrel chest." They may lean forward with arms extended and/or resting on something to help them breathe ("orthopneic breathing").

When lung auscultation and chest percussion is performed a hyperresonant sound is heard.

The person may also exhibit symptoms of hypoxia-induced cyanosis, or the appearance of a blue-to-purplish discoloration of the skin, because of increased levels of deoxyhemoglobin in the blood.

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10y ago
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15y ago

Smoke inhaled can cause damage to the alveolar wall thus more elastase (an enzyme) will be released by the inflammatory cells. Elastase break down protein and cause further damage to the alveolar wall.

smoking also reduce the alpha-1-antitrypsin which is the natural preserver of the surfactant that lining the alveoli wall and thus expose the alveoli wall to damage. Surfactant is important in helping to 'wet' the wall and increase the transfer rate of the gases exchange across the alveolar wall to the pulmonary capillary.

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15y ago

You can die and if you survive you will live of a oxygen machine

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13y ago

it damages the alveoli. the alveoli is the sack in you lungs that fill up with air

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6y ago

anemia ,weakness,restlessness,coughing,working impossible incise respiration , vertigo, food eating disability because of respiration function,blood esr incise

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Q: Effects of emphysema
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What are the effects of emphysema?

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What is smoking and its effects?

Smoking can cause emphysema, heart disease, and cancer.


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What are two harmful effects from smoking?

Harmful effects from smoking include: Lung cancer Emphysema Smoker's cough Staining of teeth Lip cancer Nicotine addiction


Which organ is associated with the disease emphysema?

The lungs are the primary organ affected by emphysema.


What does emphysema affect?

It reduces the surface area because it reduces the number of alveolar sacs in a persons lungs.


Can the effects of emphysema be reversed?

Emphysema is mostly managed. But in case of deficiency of a particular type of enzyme, called alpha-1-antitrypsin, enzyme replacement therapies are often helpful. Cessation of smoking is one of the most effective changes that can be brought, which help in managing emphysema to great extents.


What is the prefix and suffix for emphysema?

The prefix for emphysema is "emphyse-", and the suffix is "-ma".


How emphysema has effect your body?

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