Often referred to as COPD for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema is a chronic condition affecting the lungs that the Mayo Clinic claims is a leading cause of death and illness worldwide. Primarily caused by long-term smoking, emphysema has four levels or stages: mild, moderate, severe and very severe. An understanding of the symptoms associated with the early stages of this disease is critical to ensure that medical care is put into place that can possibly extend lung functioning as long as possible.
Diagnosis
Stages of emphysema are generally determined using breathing tests known as pulmonary function tests (PFTs), according to NetWellness. PFT results register any lung obstruction and measure how much air a person can exhale in one second, as well as how much air moves easily in and out of the lungs. The test is administered using a mouthpiece with nose clips attached to pinch the nostrils.
Complexity of Symptom Identification
A major challenge in identifying emphysema symptoms is that early warning signs can vary greatly from person to person, and can even vary from time to time with the same person. Generally speaking, individuals are the best judges of whether they are having trouble breathing.
Sputum Changes
Sputum changes are perhaps the greatest early warning sign of emphysema, according to the National Jewish Health Organization. An increase in the amount of sputum produced, a change in sputum texture that can be thicker or stickier than normal, or even a change in its color (usually to yellow and green or even red-tinged from blood) are common symptoms of early emphysema.
Physical Changes
Physical changes are often present but can easily go unnoticed until they grow more severe. An increase in shortness of breath, coughing or even wheezing is experienced by many people. Many patients report, according to the National Jewish Health Organization, that they need to sleep propped by more pillows or even resort to sleeping in a chair to avoid shortness of breath. Ankle swelling and unexplained weight changes are also symptoms that one might be surprised to learn can be associated with emphysema. Lastly, an increase in headaches, dizzy spells or restlessness---particularly in the morning---also is an early sign of emphysema.
Changes in Habits
Many people with emphysema find that they become forgetful and confused or experience a general feeling of persistent fatigue and/or lack of energy that can be accompanied by speech slurring. A lack of sexual drive and trouble sleeping is also often reported by those with early emphysema.
