About 14 million Americans have emphysema, a chronic lung condition that affects your ability to breathe and has a significant impact on your quality of life. If you’ve recently been diagnosed, you’re not alone — and it’s normal to have questions.
Our team at Medical Associates Of North Texas specializes in respiratory condition care in Fort Worth, Texas, and we’re here to help you find answers. Read on to learn more about what causes emphysema and what you can do to manage your health.
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that develops when the air sacs (alveoli) inside your lungs get damaged. It’s a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness — but what causes the damage that leads to emphysema?
The answer is long-term exposure to airborne irritants. While air pollution, chemical fumes, and even dust can be contributing factors, the main cause of emphysema is cigarette smoke.
When you smoke cigarettes, the toxins in the tobacco smoke gradually damage the alveoli in your lungs, and this damage makes them less elastic. Over time, your alveoli get stretched out and lose their ability to recoil, making air get trapped and hard for you to exhale.
Emphysema is a progressive condition, and the damage it causes is irreversible. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to protect your lungs and your overall health.
At Medical Associates Of North Texas, we take a comprehensive approach to lung care. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with emphysema or you’re hoping to prevent the condition, there’s a lot you can do to improve your health.
First and foremost, if you smoke, the most important thing you can do is quit. It’s never too late to kick the habit, and quitting can improve lung function and stop the progression of emphysema. Enlist the support of friends and family, and ask our team about smoking cessation to help you quit for good.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, along with quitting smoking, can also positively impact the effects of emphysema. We can help you incorporate exercise into your daily routine to maintain cardiovascular health and strengthen your respiratory muscles.
Remember that exercise doesn’t have to be intense to offer healthy benefits. Aim for a combination of aerobic exercise, like walking or swimming, and strength training to improve endurance and muscle function.
Certain medications can also help alleviate emphysema symptoms and improve lung function. Bronchodilators, like beta-agonists and anticholinergics, help relax the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe. We may also prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in your lungs and manage symptom flare-ups.
If you have severe emphysema, supplemental oxygen therapy may be necessary to make sure your body gets enough oxygen with each breath. Oxygen therapy can help relieve shortness of breath, improve exercise tolerance, and enhance the quality of life for people with severe symptoms.
Emphysema presents significant challenges, but there are proactive steps you can take to manage it and enhance your well-being. Remember, you're not alone on this journey — our team is here to help every step of the way. Schedule an appointment at Medical Associates Of North Texas at 972-433-7178 or send us a message online today.
