Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also referred to as COPD. Smoking or exposure to smoke is the No. 1 cause of emphysema, the Mayo Clinic reports. The symptoms will range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the lung illness and any accompanying medical problems. The most common symptom is shortness of breath, with or without any activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with this disease.
Difficulty Breathing
Shortness of breath occurs when the lungs cannot properly exchange gases or ventilate the body. With emphysema, the lungs cannot properly expel breath. Simple tasks may become stressful as a person finds it harder to breathe. This symptom is the least invasive way of judging the disease's progression. With severe emphysema, shortness of breath can occur during daily activities such as eating or even during times of rest.
Wheezing
With emphysema, there will be a variance in a person's exhalation. He may either notice wheezing, which is a strained, high-pitch tone, or difficulty in pushing the air past his lips. Those with emphysema know that pursed-lip breathing can facilitate the outflux of air and will sometimes ease the wheezing sound.
Fatigue and Energy Loss
Oxygen drives the muscles and bodily functions. When the body is depleted of oxygen, the muscles will fatigue more rapidly than those of healthy adults. The body attempts to compensate for the oxygen depletion; by keeping a person fatigued, the body conserves energy. This reserved energy can then be used for more important activities of daily living.
Physical Changes
As emphysema progresses, a person's body will change to adapt to the disease. Some will notice a change in the shape of their chest. According to Dr. Rosenow of the Mayo Clinic, severe emphysema may cause the ribcage to expand to accommodate gases being retained in the lungs. Weight loss is another indication that emphysema is progressing; as the body works harder to breathe and stay ventilated, a person may find that her appetite decreases. Foods are not appealing when decreased olfactory sensations and difficulty breathing with eating occur.
