Emphysema is a long-term lung disease affecting over 3 million people in the U.S. It’s a type of COPD, marked by damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs. This damage often comes from irritants like cigarette smoke and air pollution, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent coughing, and fatigue.
Doctors use various methods to diagnose emphysema, including physical exams, lung function tests, and imaging studies. While there’s no cure, treatments like medications, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehab can help control symptoms and slow the disease. You can prevent emphysema by not smoking and steering clear of lung-damaging irritants.
There are three types of emphysema: centrilobular, panlobular, and paraseptal, defined by where the alveoli damage occurs in the lungs. Centrilobular emphysema, the most common type, usually results from smoking, affecting the upper lobes and air sacs nearest the bronchioles. It begins in the center of the lungs and spreads outward, causing alveoli to enlarge and eventually break down.
Panlobular emphysema involves the entire gas-exchanging area, including alveoli, bronchioles, and blood vessels. It’s more common in people with a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which increases lung disease risk. Paraseptal emphysema, less common, primarily affects alveoli near the lung lining and typically impacts the upper lung areas; often, people with this have another form of emphysema too.
Emphysema symptoms appear gradually. Early on, they may be mild, but they worsen over time, affecting daily life. Symptoms include breathing difficulties due to alveoli losing their elasticity and forming large air pockets instead of many small ones, hindering oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange during breathing. While cigarette smoke is the main cause, other irritants also contribute.
To diagnose emphysema, doctors review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and may order tests. They’ll ask about your symptoms, when they started, how often they occur, and what aggravates them, like physical activity. Your doctor will also look into risk factors, such as smoking habits, family history, or exposure to harmful substances.
During a physical exam, they’ll check for signs like shortness of breath and coughing and listen to your lungs for wheezing or crackling sounds using a stethoscope. If emphysema is suspected, further tests will be conducted to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
Once you’re diagnosed, the disease is staged based on lung function test results and how severe the symptoms are, along with their impact on your quality of life. Since there’s no cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing progression. The treatment plan depends on the disease stage but often includes medication and lifestyle changes.
To reduce your risk of emphysema, avoid smoking and exposure to lung irritants. Though emphysema mainly affects the lungs, it can impact other body parts like the heart, brain, muscles, and circulatory system, increasing the likelihood of additional health issues.
Living with emphysema can be challenging, especially when symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue interfere with daily tasks. The disease outlook varies based on severity and management, but following your treatment plan and living healthily can help you enjoy a good quality of life. Don’t hesitate to lean on family and friends for support and consult your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you need extra help.
