Emphysema

Salwa MukadamTPJ3M0Miss. Tran

A Respiratory Disease

Historical Background

• Comes from the Greek Word: Inflation •Emphysan meaning inflate•Physa meaning breath, blast

•Believed to be in existence from the 17th century by Sir John Floyer• Emphysema is described as large air spaces in humans; have trouble exhaling•It has been in existence ever since cigars were introduced

How it Works...•Triggered by inhaled irritants and causes inflammations of the alveoli•This causes a loss of elasticity of the lung due to the destruction of Elastin

• Elastin: An important structural protein in the lung’s supporting connective tissue • Alveoli: Small air sacs in the lungs which exchange Oxygen and Carbon dioxide

• Destroyed Elastin causes a loss of support of the airways, narrowing of the airways, and progressive airflow limitation•The enlarged lungs not only make it harder to breathe, but they also lack protection against further damage because much of the Elastin has been destroyed

• Air is trapped in the Alveoli• The Alveoli looses its elasticity thus, making it harder

to exhale out

Symptoms• Shortness of breath

•Wheezying

•Chest tightness

•Reduced capacity for physical activity

•Chronic coughing

•Loss of appetite

•Fatigue

Causes• Smoking: Most common cause. Chemical irritants slowly destroy the small airways, elastic air sacs and their supporting elastic fibers•Protein Deficiency: 1-2% of people with Emphysema have inherited deficiency of a protin called AAT; which protects elastic structure of lungs

• The progression and serverity are greatly acclerated by smoking

Scenario

Julie works near a chemical plant and smokes regularly for about 10 years now. She does not exercise and finds her self fatigued after a day of work. She experiences shortness of breath when performing minor activities and she barely eats. Does Julie have Emphysema?

Treatments• Emphysema is irreversible and permanent

•Smoking Cessation: Quit smoking immediately to prevent furthur damage- Take medicine such as, Nicorette gum.

• Do exercises that strengthen the diaphragm:Yoga• Clean airways: mucus starts to build up

Prevention

• Best way to prevent emphysema is to NOT smoke

• Avoid second-hand smoke

• Wear masks from dust, chemical fumes

•Exercise regularly to increase lung capacity

• Nutrition: Take vitamins particularly A, B and Iron- Doctors say Emphysema depletes the body of vitamin A and B

Bibliography

•http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/emphysema-emphyseme/index_e.php•http://www.emedicinehealth.com/emphysema/article_em.htm•http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/emphysema.html•http://www.lung.ca/children/grades7_12/lung_health/emphysema.html