Many people consider emphysema an elderly person's disease. But many young smokers, including those in their teens, exhibit mild symptoms of the disease. Cigarette smoking, one of the primary causes of emphysema, puts many teenagers at risk. According to the American Lung Association, a teen's lungs are still developing and have a higher incidence of low lung function. Combined with cigarettes, emphysema is a cause for concern for teenagers who smoke regularly.
Statistics
A 1996 study conducted by researchers at Harvard University and the Brigham and Women's Hospital found that of the 10,000 teen participants, those who smoked only five cigarettes per day showed early signs of emphysema. With nine out 10 cigarette smokers starting before age 18, according to the KidsHealth website, the risk of emphysema in the teen years is great. Large majorities of teens don’t plan to smoke their whole lives, but the Center for Young Women's Health reports that 75 percent are still smoking five years down the road. In 2009, more than 10,000 people died from emphysema, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teens who continue to smoke into adulthood may be included in this number.
Symptoms
Teens who have the beginning stages of emphysema typically exhibit mild symptoms of the disease. Over time, teenagers who continue to smoke cigarettes will experience an increase in symptoms. The main sign of emphysema is shortness of breath, which progresses gradually. A teen may notice shortness of breath when playing sports or engaging in other physical activities. This symptom worsens over time and eventually it will occur when a person is at rest. Severe shortness of breath is more likely to occur later in life rather than during the teen years.
Treatment
Quitting smoking reduces the risk of emphysema. So smoking cessation drugs are a good option for teenagers who smoke. Bronchodilators and inhaled steroids help relieve shortness of breath. Rehabilitation treatment helps a teen learn breathing techniques that counteract shortness of breath. Severe cases may require oxygen, though this type of treatment is typically used in later stages of emphysema and isn't likely to be needed by teens.
Prevention
The only way to prevent emphysema is to avoid smoke by not using cigarettes or breathing secondhand smoke. A teen exposed to chemical fumes or who lives in a highly polluted area is also at an increased risk. The MayoClinic.com recommends wearing a face mask when a teen is in a danger area.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Includes: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
- American Lung Association: People at Risk
- MayoClinic.com: Emphysema
- Kids Health: Smoking
- Los Angeles Times: Smoking's Early Risk
- Center for Young Women's Health: Information About Smoking
