Nowadays, smoking is becoming a common habit. People are seen smoking cigarettes everywhere in the streets, markets and offices, which causes difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
Very few people are aware of its dangerous consequences. One of these dangerous diseases is “emphysema”, which gradually makes the lungs ineffective.
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that causes severe difficulty in breathing. In this disease, the small air sacs inside the lungs, called “alveoli”, gradually deteriorate and weaken.
In healthy lungs, these sacs expand and absorb oxygen when you breathe in, while they contract and expel air when you exhale. But in emphysema, their elasticity is affected, which makes it difficult for the patient to exhale.
As a result of this situation, the space for fresh and oxygen-rich air to enter the lungs decreases, and the patient constantly complains of shortness of breath.
According to experts, emphysema is a serious and incurable type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although its symptoms can be reduced and the disease can be slowed down through treatment, the damage to the lungs cannot be completely eliminated.
Symptoms of emphysema
The symptoms of this disease usually appear when the lungs have been significantly damaged. Initially, the patient experiences difficulty breathing during physical activity, which increases over time.
Other symptoms include wheezing or whistling when exhaling, persistent cough, heaviness or tightness in the chest, unusual fatigue, weight loss, and swelling in the ankles.
As the disease progresses, the patient begins to fear daily activities because even minor movements cause shortness of breath. Sometimes the condition reaches such a point that the patient has difficulty breathing even at rest.
According to experts, emphysema and chronic bronchitis often occur together. In chronic bronchitis, the airways become inflamed and excess mucus is produced, which affects air circulation. That is why these two diseases are collectively called COPD.
Major causes of the disease
The main cause of emphysema is smoking. Apart from this, prolonged exposure to chemical fumes, industrial pollution, dust and toxic fumes can also cause this disease.
Experts also say that in some rare cases, this disease is also caused by a genetic defect. The deficiency of a protein called ‘alpha-1 antitrypsin’ reduces the ability to protect the lungs from damage, as a result of which the lung tissues start to be affected.
If you have been experiencing difficulty breathing for several months, or it becomes difficult to perform normal activities, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Experts warn that ignoring it as a sign of old age or weakness can be dangerous because the disease can lead to lung failure and life-threatening complications.
Medical experts say that avoiding smoking, a clean environment, preventive measures and timely diagnosis are the only effective means of preventing this dangerous disease.
