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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Emphysema
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Emphysema Introduction

 

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. 

 
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]
 
 
Emphysema Symptoms
  • 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.

Emphysema Statistics
  • 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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