Emphysema is a serious lung disease that mainly damages the air sacs of the lungs. People affected with this disorder can experience extreme shortness of breath due to the ruptured and weak air sacs which creates bigger air spaces and reduces surface area in the lungs. This disorder also decreases the oxygen flow towards the bloodstream.
If this lung complication is left untreated then it can lead to severe complications such as chronic bronchitis, collapsed lungs, development of large holes in lungs, and heart issues. This is why it is essential to avail of the treatments of pulmonology in Siliguri immediately for early diagnosis and controlling of the symptoms.
Here are some of the common causes, symptoms, and treatment options associated with emphysema.
Causes
One of the prime causes of emphysema is cigarette smoking because smoking not only damages the lungs but also irritates the airways. These side effects often lead to damage and inflammation of the cilia making it prone to excessive mucus production, swollen airways, and shortness of breath. Secondhand smoke can also cause this disorder because it makes you inhale the harmful chemicals from someone else’s cigar, pipe, or cigarette.
Apart from smoking, there can also be other probable causes behind the development of emphysema such as vaping, consumption of marijuana, excessive exposure to chemical fumes, dust, and air pollution. The chances of getting affected by this lung disorder can also increase if you have a history of chronic respiratory infections.
Symptoms
The main problem of emphysema is that it doesn’t show any probable symptoms for many years and this leads to the development of a more severe stage. If the disorder is detected in the Stage 1 and 2, then it can be treated effectively with medications but the 3rd and 4th stage causes major damage to the lungs, which disrupt their normal functioning.
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of emphysema and if you experience this symptom for a long period then you must seek the guidance of a lung specialist in Siliguri. The other probable symptoms include wheezing, long-term coughing, mucus production, chest tightness, weight loss, fatigue, sleeping disturbance, and anxiety.
Treatment
Before recommending you an effective treatment plan, the doctor will first diagnose your condition with some tests and physical exams. Some of the tests that can be done include lab tests to check the transfer of oxygen, imaging tests, and lung function tests.
After diagnosing the condition, the doctor may prescribe you certain medications such as antibiotics, bronchodilators, and inhaled steroids. You can also be recommended to undergo nutrition therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation to learn about the necessary lifestyle changes and breathing exercises to control the symptoms.
If the emphysema has moved towards a severe stage then you must contact the best chest specialist in Siliguri for surgery. Lung transplant and volume reduction surgery for the lungs are the effective options that can be performed. Along with these treatment options, it is also advised to stop smoking or vaping for a speedy recovery.
Comments (0)
