00057
What is Emphysema?
emphysema breathing smoking Respiratory System breath shortness lungs
lung elasticity alveoli breaths proteases protease alpha-1-antitrypsin smoke
smokes smoking smoker smokers breathe breathless bronchi bronchioles pulmonary
disease diseases
VolumeH-5
Log
Cross Section of the Lung*0005901.scf
Anatomy of the Alveoli*0005903.scf
The Effects of Smoking*0007301.scf
What is Emphysema?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: I keep reading the term, but have absolutely no idea what it refers
to. Perhaps you can help. What is emphysema? How is it treated?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Emphysema is a lung condition that is marked by shortness of breath.
It is diagnosed when the small air sacs that make up our lungs have become
weakened and lose their elasticity. Normally, these sacs, called alveoli,
expand with each breath and then return to their normal small size between
breaths. In emphysema, each sac is stretched out like an old balloon and do
not return to a small size. In addition to being stretched out, the weakened
alveoli don't exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen as they should.
Because the alveoli are not working properly, the respiratory muscles of
the chest must work harder. This leads to a barrel-chested appearance in many
emphysema sufferers. They also lose weight and tire very easily.
Emphysema has a biochemical cause that is created or worsened by
environmental factors. Normally, chemicals called proteases fight off
bacteria and viruses in the lung and are regulated by another chemical called
alpha-1-antitrypsin. In emphysema, alpha-1-antitrypsin is inactivated or
missing and the proteases go wild and start to attack healthy lung tissue.
Smoking inactivates alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is why smoking is the leading
cause of emphysema. Some cases of emphysema are related to genetic
biochemical defects, however.
There is no treatment for emphysema nor is there any way to reverse the
damage once it has begun. However, stopping smoking will prevent lung damage
from progressing.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.
What is Emphysema?
emphysema breathing smoking Respiratory System breath shortness lungs
lung elasticity alveoli breaths proteases protease alpha-1-antitrypsin smoke
smokes smoking smoker smokers breathe breathless bronchi bronchioles pulmonary
disease diseases
VolumeH-5
Log
Cross Section of the Lung*0005901.scf
The Effects of Smoking*0007301.scf
What is Emphysema?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: I keep reading the term, but have absolutely no idea what it refers
to. Perhaps you can help. What is emphysema? How is it treated?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Emphysema is a lung condition that is marked by shortness of breath.
It is diagnosed when the small air sacs that make up our lungs have become
weakened and lose their elasticity. Normally, these sacs, called alveoli,
expand with each breath and then return to their normal small size between
breaths. In emphysema, each sac is stretched out like an old balloon and do
not return to a small size. In addition to being stretched out, the weakened
alveoli don't exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen as they should.
Because the alveoli are not working properly, the respiratory muscles of
the chest must work harder. This leads to a barrel-chested appearance in many
emphysema sufferers. They also lose weight and tire very easily.
Emphysema has a biochemical cause that is created or worsened by
environmental factors. Normally, chemicals called proteases fight off
bacteria and viruses in the lung and are regulated by another chemical called
alpha-1-antitrypsin. In emphysema, alpha-1-antitrypsin is inactivated or
missing and the proteases go wild and start to attack healthy lung tissue.
Smoking inactivates alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is why smoking is the leading
cause of emphysema. Some cases of emphysema are related to genetic
biochemical defects, however.
There is no treatment for emphysema nor is there any way to reverse the
damage once it has begun. However, stopping smoking will prevent lung damage
from progressing.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.
No comments:
Post a Comment