Basically smoking, as the most common cause of emphysema is smoking itself.
The more cigarettes produced and smoked, the more cases of Emphysema are reported. But, half the cases of Emphysema are second-hand smoke.
Increased vital capacity
yes and its indicative of emphysema.
Decreased Oxygen, increased CO2, Acidosis
The person's lungs are not moving air well in emphysema. Also irritants cause increased production of phlegm, which can reduce air movement, hence, diminished breath sounds.
The lungs are the primary organ affected by emphysema.
During the usual course of emphysema, a person who has never had seizures before will not have any seizures. A person could or might have a seizure if they experience a severe impairment in the ability to breathe--such as if they contracted pneumonia on top of the emphysema--and had even less O2. But generally, emphysema is just a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation, increased phlegm and coughing, and impaired gas exchange.
Emphysema is a chronic long-term disease that blocks air way to lungs, meaning it will continue to affect the person by giving them shortness of breath. A treatment to Emphysema is to quit smoking as mentioned above, and then there are medications like Bronchodilators which improve the construction of the airways. So unless they keep smoking, no Emphysema can not worsen and can even be improved.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a broad term that encompasses several lung conditions, primarily chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which cause airflow obstruction. Emphysema specifically refers to the destruction of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs, leading to decreased oxygen exchange and increased breathlessness. While all patients with emphysema have COPD, not all COPD patients have emphysema, as some may primarily have chronic bronchitis characterized by chronic cough and mucus production. Essentially, emphysema is a subtype of COPD focused on structural changes in the lungs.
In severe emphysema, vital capacity (VC) is typically reduced due to the destruction of alveoli, leading to decreased lung elasticity and air trapping. Total lung capacity (TLC) may be increased as a result of hyperinflation, where the lungs become overly distended, allowing for more air to remain in the lungs even after exhalation. This combination of reduced VC and increased TLC reflects the impaired respiratory mechanics characteristic of emphysema.
Emphysema primarily affects the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing due to damaged alveoli. While it does not directly affect the liver, the systemic effects of chronic respiratory disease can lead to reduced oxygenation and increased strain on the body's organs, including the liver. Additionally, if emphysema is related to smoking or other factors that also harm the liver, such as alcohol use, there could be compounded health issues. Overall, the liver may not be directly impacted by emphysema, but the overall health of a person with emphysema can influence liver function.
The prefix for emphysema is "emphyse-", and the suffix is "-ma".