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Emphysema

Emphysema is a common lung disease that affects over 1.8 million Americans. It is the 15th most common condition limiting daily activity. The leading cause is cigarette smoking, which accounts for 82% of cases. Emphysema causes the destruction of lung tissues and alveoli, reducing gas exchange and causing shortness of breath. While treatment can help manage symptoms, prevention through not smoking is the best way to avoid developing emphysema.

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Dr.G.Bhanu Prakash
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84 views17 pages

Emphysema

Emphysema is a common lung disease that affects over 1.8 million Americans. It is the 15th most common condition limiting daily activity. The leading cause is cigarette smoking, which accounts for 82% of cases. Emphysema causes the destruction of lung tissues and alveoli, reducing gas exchange and causing shortness of breath. While treatment can help manage symptoms, prevention through not smoking is the best way to avoid developing emphysema.

Uploaded by

Dr.G.Bhanu Prakash
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EMPHYSEMA

Emphysema Is A Common Disease



Affects 2 out of 1,000 people


1.8 million Americans in the United States have

emphysema.


Emphysema is ranked 15th among chronic

conditions or diseases which limit people’s daily

activity
 More common in men
vs. women

 Studies show that the


amount of women with
the disease is
gradually increasing
 44% of people with
emphysema have
reported that their
daily activities have
been greatly limited
due to the disease
Emphysema is a lung disease that is classified as a COPD.
(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

There are several things that cause emphysema


It can be inherited

Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins

and...........
The #1 cause is cigarette smoking

82% of cases are related to smoking


Pathophysiology of Emphysema

Continued exposure to
noxious substances, such as
cigarette smoke, causes
destruction of the walls of the
alveoli


The alveolar membrane

surface area decreases, thus

lessening the area available

for gas exchange


 Progressive loss of the respiratory membrane
results in an increased ratio of air to lung tissue


Diffusion defects start to occur


The number of pulmonary capillaries in the lung

is decreased and that increases the resistance

to pulmonary blood flow



Pulmonary hypertension
then occurs


Right heart failure may

occur


Cor pulmonale

(hypertrophy of the right

ventricle)


DEATH
 Causes weakening of the walls of
the small bronchioles and alveoli.


When the walls are destroyed, the

lungs loose their capacity to recoil

and air becomes trapped in the

lungs


Residual volume increases


Vital capacity remains about

normal


The destroyed lung tissue (called

blebbs) results in alveolar collapse



To counteract alveolar
collapse, patients tend to
breath through pursed lips.


This creates a continued

positive pressure and

prevents alveolar collapse



PaO2 further decreases, which may lead to increased red
blood cell production and polycythemia (an excess of red
blood cells)


PaCO2 also increases and becomes chronically elevated


The body then depends on the hypoxic drive to control

respirations


Emphysema is characterized by irreversible airway

obstruction
Signs And Symptoms
 Shortness of breath


Wheezing


Chronic mucus production (chronic bronchitis)


Constant coughing or need to clear the throat
Most Common Health
Complications

 Respiratory tract infections


Pneumonia


Respiratory failure


Death
Physical Changes
 The most common physical
change may be in the chest,
which takes on a barrel-like
appearance


Bluish discoloration of the

lips and nail beds


Swelling and increased fluid

in the lungs
Treatment
 Bronchodilators


Oxygen


Lung Transplant (very

few patients qualify)


Prevention
 Live away from
polluted urban
areas

 #1 prevention is to
STOP SMOKING

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