In pulmonary emphysema, lung tissue is destroyed and the lungs become inflated. Shortness of breath is the result. The most common causes are smoking and chronic bronchitis.
Below you will find further information and selected pulmonary emphysema specialists.
Pulmonary emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a permanent structural change in the lung tissue. It leads to a pathological expansion or inflation of the air-filled alveoli. Pulmonary emphysema is therefore also known as emphysema or emphysema pulmonum.
The walls of the alveoli dissolve and new, larger cavities form. This reduces the surface area over which oxygen can pass into the blood. As a result, the oxygen content in the blood is reduced and more air remains in the lungs.
The lungs continue to inflate and breathing becomes more difficult due to their reduced elasticity. Those affected suffer from shortness of breath during physical exertion.
Pulmonary emphysema is diagnosed on the basis of an X-ray examination and a lung function test.
As emphysema cannot be cured, it is important to
is of particular importance.
Smoking and persistent inflammation, such as severe viral bronchitis, are among the most important causes of emphysema.
Long-term smoking causes chronic bronchitis to develop over the years. This in turn can accelerate the bloating of the lungs.
In addition, there are also
are known causes. However, exposure to pollutants in the environment or at the workplace also promote the development of emphysema.
The symptoms develop slowly and insidiously, so that the patient is often unaware of them at first.
The reduced oxygen content or increased carbon dioxide content in the blood leads to
With increasing damage to the lungs, shortness of breath and breathlessness also occur at rest. Some patients also suffer from sleep disorders with increased daytime sleepiness and weight loss.
Chronic bronchitis is accompanied by coughing and sputum production.
Illustration of the lower airways with the bronchi in both lungs © SciePro | AdobeStock
The diagnostic process begins with a detailed medical history (patient questioning about symptoms and medical history). This is followed by a physical examination.
This can already provide initial indications of pulmonary emphysema. When listening to the lungs, doctors listen for typical breathing noises. The X-ray shows a low diaphragm, in which the diaphragm is clearly displaced downwards.
The suspected diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema is confirmed by pulmonary function testing. The severity of the disease can be determined by determining the oxygen content in the blood (blood gas analysis).
In pulmonary emphysema, the structures in the lungs are irreversibly destroyed. Even today, the disease cannot be cured.
The aim of pulmonary emphysema therapy is therefore to
The patient must stop smoking and the effects of other irritants must be eliminated.
The emphysema therapy then depends on the severity of the disease. It consists of drug and non-drug therapy.
Drug therapy includes the administration of
enzyme. In special training courses, patients learn
Sometimes long-term oxygen therapy or the insertion of airway valves can bring relief.
In cases of severe emphysema, abnormal lung tissue is surgically removed using volume reduction therapy. This relieves the pressure on the healthy lung tissue.
In the final stage of the disease, a lung transplant may be considered.
Specialists for emphysema are pulmonologists. Further examinations(MRI, CT) are carried out by specialists in radiology/nuclear medicine. Suitable clinics for the treatment of emphysema are specialized pulmonary clinics.
Depending on the severity of the disease, thoracic surgeons or transplant specialists may also be consulted.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
