1. A Smoker's Disease
Emphysema is commonly known as the "smoker's disease" because of its effects on the lungs. The disease robs your lungs of their ability to expel or exhale air by damaging the bronchioles. These miniscule air passages connect to the cluster of sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. This is where airborne oxygen is traded for the body's carbon dioxide. The alveoli house your lung's elasticity. Losing that elasticity restricts the organ's ability to contract, keeps the sacs from fully deflating and causes problems exhaling. When that happens, your next breath begins with added air in your lungs. The result is the alveoli cannot take in adequate fresh air to provide your body with the necessary oxygen.
2. Take a Deep Breath
Emphysema sufferers breathe harder to get oxygen into their lungs. At first, shortness of breath occurs during physical activity, such as exercising. Over time, the individual's breathing difficulty worsens, and they may have problems taking deep breaths even when they aren't exerting themselves. As the disease progresses, lung function decreases dramatically. Inhaling and exhaling become difficult and leave the sufferer incapacitated and unable to perform daily routines.
3. Chronic Cougher
Symptoms of emphysema often are confused with other medical conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis. The condition's symptoms include coughing, excessive mucus and wheezing. If you often wheeze, determine if it occurs while inhaling, exhaling or both. Wheezing after exhaling usually indicates bronchitis, while wheezing early in the exhale points to emphysema. Those who wheeze while inhaling generally suffer from asthma. Differentiate between asthma and emphysema by experimenting with prescription asthma drugs. Asthma sufferers are more likely to respond to the medications than will individuals afflicted with emphysema. Experiment only under the direction of your doctor.
4. Lack of Oxygen to Your Brain
Be on the lookout for other less common symptoms of emphysema. If there isn't enough oxygen getting to your brain, you may become disagreeable and experience diminished mental function. Eevated levels of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream may produce headaches and insomnia. If these symptoms linger, call your doctor.
5. Confirm Your Condition
Consult with your physician if you experience any of the symptoms of emphysema. A series of tests that include a chest x-ray, a computed axial tomography (CAT) scan and a spirometry confirm a diagnosis. The spirometry procedure measures your ability to expel air from your lungs. Your doctor may order additional tests to evaluate the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
