Emphysema is a lung disease that, in conjunction with chronic bronchitis, is collectively referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. A person's risk of developing emphysema increases as they age and can be compounded by factors such as smoking cigarettes or exposure to pollution. If someone develops any emphysema signs and symptoms, they should talk with their doctor for further evaluation and care.
Shortness of Breath
Emphysema is characterized by damage to the alveoli--the small air sacs within the lungs that allow the body to get rid of waste (carbon dioxide) in exchange for oxygen. Patients with this disease also experience narrowing of the respiratory tract, which makes it difficult to breathe normally, explains the Better Health Channel, a health information website established by the Australian government. They may notice that even mild physical activities, such as walking to the kitchen, cause them to become out of breath. As this disease progresses, shortness of breath can occur constantly--even while they sleep or rest.
Wheezing
When the bronchi--the tubes that carry air into the lungs--become constricted due to emphysema, patients can begin to wheeze, report doctors at The Mayo Clinic. Wheezing is a whistling sound within the lungs that occurs when air is forced through tight spaces in the respiratory tract. This sign of emphysema is typically accompanied by breathing difficulties or chest discomfort.
Cough
Emphysema can lead to lung or throat irritation, which can cause symptoms of cough to arise in certain patients. Cough symptoms can become long-lasting (chronic) and may sound congested. Health educators at the American Lung Association explain that many patients with emphysema also develop chronic bronchitis--an infection within the lungs--which can exacerbate cough symptoms. Episodes of cough can also cause patients to expel mucous (sputum) from the lungs.
Fatigue
When the body does not receive adequate levels of oxygen due to emphysema, the cells, tissues and organs can't generate energy. Poor energy production by the body can cause a person to experience excessive tiredness or fatigue as a sign of emphysema, warn Mayo Clinic doctors. As this disease progresses, fatigue can become so severe that patients become unable to get out of bed.
Skin Discoloration
Low oxygen levels in the body due to emphysema can cause skin discoloration symptoms in certain patients. They can develop cyanosis, a condition in which the skin appears pale or bluish in color as a result of insufficient oxygen levels, explains the Better Health Channel. Certain emphysema patients may also frequently feel cold or their skin may be cool to the touch.
