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Emphysema and another lung condition known as chronic bronchitis (persistent cough with phlegm) are both features of a common lung disease called Emphysema is generally caused by cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to certain industrial pollutants or dusts. A small percentage of cases are caused by a familial or genetic disorder, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

While damaged airways don’t regenerate and there is no cure, emphysema is preventable and treatable.

The symptoms of emphysema include:

  • cyanosis (a blue tinge to the skin) due to lack of oxygen. The lungs are sponge-like structures that lie within the chest
  • protected by the ribcage. They are made up of progressively branching air passages

The largest of these is the windpipe (trachea), which divides into the two bronchi, which divide into the smaller bronchioles. Bronchioles end in minute air sacs (alveoli), where inhaled oxygen is transferred to the blood stream and carbon dioxide is transferred from the blood into the exhaled breath.

This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place via a fine mesh of capillaries.

After repeated exposure to chemical irritants, such as cigarette smoke, the air passages and air sacs of the lungs become inflamed and damaged. The airways of healthy lungs have elastic properties, but in lungs that are repeatedly exposed to irritants, the airways lose their elasticity and become thickened and swollen.

This swelling means that the passageway for air becomes narrower.

If the same person also has chronic bronchitis (ongoing inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes), the mucus present can further contribute to narrowing of the air passages and clogging of the air sacs, further reducing their ability to function. As the number of functional air sacs reduces, the number of capillaries servicing the damaged alveoli also gradually reduces.

These changes result in: reduced capacity for the lungs to extract the oxygen from inhaled air.

This means that the person has to breathe harder to get enough oxygen. Complications of emphysema can include:

  • this is an infection of the alveoli
  • bronchioles. People with emphysema are more prone to pneumonia collapsed lung – some lungs develop large air pockets (bullae)
  • which may burst
  • resulting in lung deflation (also called pneumothorax) heart problems – damaged alveoli
  • reduced number of capillaries
  • lower oxygen levels in the blood stream may mean that the heart has to pump harder to move blood through the lungs

Over time, this can place considerable strain on the heart. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema, is diagnosed mainly using a lung function test called spirometry.

Other tests that may help in diagnosis of emphysema include: CT scans

There is no cure for emphysema, although it is treatable. Appropriate management can reduce symptoms, improve your quality of life and help you stay out of hospital. Management includes:

  • stopping smoking immediately
  • completely – this is the most effective treatment for COPD
  • emphysema to protect against certain types of respiratory infection

A person with emphysema can take part in a respiratory rehabilitation program, commonly known as ‘pulmonary rehab’.

These programs: provide emotional support through shared experiences

On 1800 654 301.

If a person with emphysema is found to have exceptionally low levels of oxygen in their blood, they will be given oxygen to use at home. The oxygen is usually breathed through the nose via nasal prongs (cannulae).

The person will need to use the oxygen treatment for at least 16 hours every day

Symptoms of emphysema breathlessness with exertion, and eventually breathlessness most of the time in advanced disease susceptibility to chest infections cough with phlegm production fatigue barrel-shaped chest (from expansion of the ribcage in order to accommodate enlarged lungs) Structure of the lungs Damaged airways and lungs partial blockage of the passages carrying inhaled and exhaled breath Complications of emphysema pneumonia Diagnosis of emphysema other lung function (or breathing) tests chest x-rays Treatment for emphysema avoiding other air pollutants respiratory (pulmonary) rehabilitation programs oxygen treatment, in advanced cases medications such as anti-inflammatory medications medicine to widen the airways (bronchodilators) and loosen the phlegm antibiotics stress management techniques gentle, regular exercise to improve overall fitness influenza vaccination (yearly) and pneumococcal vaccination Respiratory rehabilitation programs provide information and education on emphysema introduce people to a supervised exercise program proven to improve emphysema symptoms improve lung function through specific breathing exercises teach stress management techniques offer advice on adapting to life with emphysema To find out about a program near you, call Lung Foundation United States Oxygen treatment for emphysema Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Lung Foundation United States 1800 654 301 QUITline 13 78 48.

Key Points

  • small percentage of cases are caused by a familial or genetic disorder, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
  • While damaged airways don’t regenerate and there is no cure, emphysema is preventable and treatable
  • symptoms of emphysema include: cyanosis (a blue tinge to the skin) due to lack of oxygen
  • Appropriate management can reduce symptoms, improve your quality of life and help you stay out of hospital
  • person with emphysema can take part in a respiratory rehabilitation program, commonly known as ‘pulmonary rehab’