Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease in which the alveoli become damaged. Chronic means that it will not go away. Emphysema falls under COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

What is pulmonary emphysema?

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease in which more and more alveoli are damaged. The lungs consist of a great many alveoli. They ensure that oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released. 

In emphysema, the walls of those alveoli become damaged. This makes the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide no longer possible. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to absorb oxygen. The alveoli that are damaged can no longer recover.

Because of the damage, the elasticity of the lung tissue decreases. The tissue remains stretched and no longer recoils well after a breath. The loss of elasticity means that parts of the lungs can no longer be used. This also applies to parts of the lungs in which the alveoli are not yet damaged.

What are the causes of emphysema?

The biggest cause is smoking. The substances in tobacco damage the walls of the alveoli. Toxic fumes can also cause emphysema. People working in construction who work with paint or asbestos are at greater risk. Sometimes a hereditary disorder is the cause. All causes at a glance:

• Smoking.
• Working with toxic substances.
• Hereditary disorder.
• Chronic bronchitis. The inflammation in the bronchi can damage the alveoli.
• Aging. With aging, the quality of the alveoli decreases.

What are the symptoms of emphysema?

There are several symptoms that occur in emphysema:

• Shortness of breath.
• Wheezing.
• Excessive mucus production.
• A lot of coughing.
• Throat clearing.
• Fatigue.

What is the treatment for emphysema?

Emphysema can be treated with medications called bronchodilators. These medications cause the muscles around the airways to relax. This makes breathing easier. But the most important part of treatment is to stop smoking to prevent further damage.

Physical therapy
Work with the physical therapist focuses on conditioning. The goal is to prevent worsening of the symptoms so that the lungs do not deteriorate further. You can see a general physical therapist or a pulmonary physical therapist who specializes in treating COPD.

Surgical procedure
In severe emphysema, surgery may be considered. This is only possible if the body is in good condition. During the operation, the surgeon removes part of the damaged non-elastic lung tissue. This makes it possible for the healthy lung tissue to function better again. This procedure is a major thoracic surgery.

There is an alternative to the major surgery. In this procedure, a valve is used to close off the most damaged part of the lung. This creates more space for the healthy lung tissue. It has the same effect as the major surgery, while being much less burdensome. The valves are inserted with the help of a small tube into the damaged part of the lung via the mouth and throat. 

This treatment is called endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR).

What can you do yourself with emphysema?

Although it is a condition that does not go away, a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the symptoms.

• Keep moving despite the shortness of breath. By training the muscles and breathing you keep the lungs in condition.
• Make sure you have a varied and healthy diet so that the body receives sufficient vitamins, proteins, and healthy fats.
• Prevent overweight.
• Prevent underweight. People with emphysema use more energy to be able to breathe, or they have no energy left to eat, resulting in underweight. Try to eat enough to give the lungs sufficient energy. Underweight also lowers resistance, so the alveoli are damaged even faster.