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Emphysema belongs in the group
of diseases referenced as
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Diseases (COPD). This
category also
includes such diseases as asthma and
chronic
bronchitis. Emphysema is
characterized by both the
destruction of the walls within
the lung, and with the lung tissue
loosing its elastic recoil.
This degradation results in
the enlargement of the air spaces
within
the lung and provides for inefficient
ventilation. |
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The
main risk factors for developing Emphysema
include; cigarette smoking, hyperesponsive airways, exposure
to air pollution, and a genetic
deficiency of an enzyme called
alpha-1 antitrypsin. [1]
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Onset of Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
tends to be slow and usually
manifests as a productive cough at
the ages between 40 to 50.
-
Emphysema
that is due to alpha-1 antitrypsin
deficiency tends to manifest
earlier in life than emphysema due
to other causes such as cigarette
smoking.
-
Findings upon
a physical examination of
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease
patients may be non remarkable in
the earlier stages,
contributing to the advanced age and
stage at which the disease is
diagnosed.
-
Coughing up of
blood in any patient with Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,
accompanied with a history of cigarette smoking, requires the
ruling out of possible cancer of
the lung.
-
In
1994 there were 16 million
Americans affected by various
forms of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease.
-
It is
estimated that Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Diseases will become the
third leading cause of death by
the year 2020.
-
The
incidence and mortality due to
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Diseases increase with increasing
age and is more prevalent in males
and Caucasian populations. Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
also have higher mortality rates in
populations with less education
and among blue collar
workers. [2,
3]
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Learn More About
Emphysema |
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