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Showing posts with label emphysema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label emphysema. Show all posts

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Why Should People With Breathing Disorders Like Emphysema Wear Medical ID Bracelets?

By Michael Derad

Emphysema can strike anyone at any age and unfortunately it is an irreversible degenerative condition. It is a condition that you have to learn to live with and ease for the rest of your life. Medical ID Bracelets are a very important part of your daily wardrobe if you suffer from this condition for a couple of reasons:

o You will be taking a cocktail of drugs to ease your symptoms these may have adverse interactions with other drugs that are administered during medical emergency treatment.

o Part of your treatment should be Pulmonary Rehabilitation which involves you firstly taking part in a group exercise program under medical supervision but you will need to follow this program up by exercising outside of a medical environment.

Medical ID Bracelets are looked for by emergency service staff especially if you are unconscious or unable to communicate with them when they are in attendance with you. With a flare-up of your Emphysema symptoms it is very hard to communicate anything due to your shortness of breath so you have to have a way to communicate your pre-existing condition and medication to the paramedics that are treating you. Customization of the bracelet is encouraged you can choose from different link styles, bracelet styles, the metal of your choice you can even add special medical alert symbol charms to the bracelet if you want.

These bracelets are an ideal gift to yourself or a thoughtful gift for a loved one. You need to get the information about your medical condition across as clearly as you can. Both sides of the bracelet are engraved and you should consider having the following information inscribed on it:

o Your name.

o Your Doctors contact number.

o Your medical condition.

o Any allergies that you have.

o The medication that you are on.

Medical ID Bracelets come in a variety of styles to suit any fashion statement that you may wish to make. Equally they can be as unobtrusive as you want. They all display the medical alert symbol which is what will draw the emergency services attention to your bracelet. For more info and available styles go to http://medicsalertbracelets.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Should-People-With-Breathing-Disorders-Like-Emphysema-Wear-Medical-ID-Bracelets?&id=2478313] Why Should People With Breathing Disorders Like Emphysema Wear Medical ID Bracelets?

Emphysema - Problem to Your Lungs

By Pauline Go

Emphysema is a lesser known disease, but of late it has become a number one cause for several deaths. It is a disease related to the pulmonary organs. It damages the lungs mainly because we are breathing in toxic gases. Some of the commonly known pulmonary diseases are bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.

When a person has emphysema, they find it difficult to maintain normal breathing patterns. Several people suffer from a mild to extreme forms of emphysema actually and several have even lost their lives trying to fight the condition. Smoking is one of the most common reasons to cause this condition. Also people who breathe in secondhand smoke are susceptible to it. The high pollution levels in the atmosphere are another cause for the condition.

In some people, the lack of protein called the alpha-1 antitrypsin in the immune system also causes the condition. Some of the common symptoms of the condition are breathlessness when you climb stairs, having sudden bought of cough, wheezing, increase in the levels of mucus and hyperventilation. When a person is suffering from emphysema, you can notice a bluish tinge on the skin. They will also face loss of appetite and are generally tired.

If you are prone to emphysema or already have the symptoms, then you should quit smoking immediately. Also, do not stay in environments where there are smokers. Stay away from high pollution areas and also keep an air purifier in your home. If you have specific allergies, then take extra care.

There are some home remedies to treat this condition. However, it is best to first consult your doctor. The coughing associated with this condition can be cured by drinking tea brewed from garlic, fennel and rose hips. In order to clear chest congestion, you can rub eucalyptus oil or garlic oil on the chest. To help control mucus, you can take comfrey and fenugreek capsules.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Emphysema---Problem-to-Your-Lungs&id=3366167] Emphysema - Problem to Your Lungs

Saturday, 9 June 2012

Emphysema - The Smoker's Disease

By Dee Braun

Emphysema is a respiratory disease that continues to get worse over time. It makes it hard to breathe and causes an individual to feel as if they are constantly short of breath. The tiny air sacs and airways in the lungs lose their elastic qualities and this in turn makes it hard to completely exhale the air from the body.

Normal lungs work like a balloon and bring in vast amounts of fresh air and then release equal amounts of Co2. When emphysema is present some of this carbon dioxide is left in the lungs and each breath becomes more difficult. As this terrible medical condition becomes worse breathing starts to come at great effort and physical activities take a great amount of energy.

Emphysema usually develops over years and there are treatments that can slow it's progress. Some symptoms that you should be on the lookout for include: consistent shortness of breath, headaches, constant coughing, fatigue, wheezing, difficulty concentrating, tightness in the chest, irritability and a distended chest. If you have one or more of these symptoms then you should see a doctor for testing. You will receive a physical and the doctor will look closely at your medical history. If you are a smoker the doctor will be very interested in this. You might receive tests to check the functioning of your lungs, blood tests, X-rays or a CT-scan.

Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema. The chemicals in cigarettes irritate the airways and alveoli in the lungs and end up causing extensive damage. As the smoke, or other particles, reach the lungs macrophages are released to destroy them. This is good, but the bad part is they also kill off essential proteins that are responsible for keeping the lungs elastic in quality.

Another condition that can cause emphysema is a deficiency of the protein alpha-1-antitrypsin. This proteins main job is to make sure the lungs keep their elasticity. This condition runs in families and is often the cause of emphysema in people who have never smoked.

Herbal medicine can help to support your lungs and often work well with a conventional treatment plan. Matricaria recutita and astralagus can help to lessen the spasms and inflammation. Mag Phos and Nat Sulph can also help to lessen the constriction on your throat and chest. Phlegm is a major problem with emphysema and these can help to reduce it. Using natural remedies regularly can help to strengthen your respiratory system and immune system. Make sure that your doctor is aware you are using a complementary treatment.

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist & natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Natural Holistic Health Blog which offers info on more natural home remedies & healing techniques for common health & emotional ailments and conditions at http://www.Natural-Holistic-Health.com/

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Emphysema---The-Smokers-Disease&id=3982825] Emphysema - The Smoker's Disease

Friday, 14 October 2011

Silent Killer: Emphysema

By Peter Ville

Drowning in air? A paradox? Not really, with lungs filled with large pockets of air, its victims must gasp for life-giving oxygen. This is because waste air is not easily removed from the lungs allowing oxygen-rich air to replace it. More feared by cigarette smokers than lung cancer, Emphysema is yet little understood today. Its is one of the most destructive, yet least publicized lung diseases. This may be due in part to the fact that there have not been any dramatic treatment or prevention breakthroughs in man's fight against emphysema.
     Although cigarette smoking plays a key role in most cases of emphysema, Scientist have no idea what actually causes the majority of human cases. It is known, however, that smoking makes the condition much worse and speeds up the lung's destruction.
     Once the condition develops, it continues to worsen until there is permanent lung damage. By the time emphysema is detected, considerable damage has already occurred. For reasons not clearly understood, the walls of alveoli. The lung's tiny air sacs, begin to disappear. Several sacs join together forming larger spaces, the alveoli walls lose their flexibility, and air is trapped.
     As the damaged progresses, the lungs have greater difficulty in transferring oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide from it. Once established, the disease cannot be reversed. Breathing becomes increasingly difficult and victim's physical strength ebbs away. Death from emphysema has been described as slow drowning. Eventually exchange of air in the lungs becomes impossible and the sufferer suffocates.
     There is also a rare inherited form of emphysema. In this form persons usually become
ill at an early age in their 30s or 40s whereas classical emphysema victims are stricken at much older age, sometime in the late 60s or later. In the inherited form of disease, the effects are much more significant because it greatly restricts the victim's life at a time
when he would normally be very active. Because it is irreversible, the outlook for emphysema victims is not good.
     Since it is sometimes possible to slow the spread of emphysema, it is important to detect it early, before much damage occurs. The breathing restriction imposed by the disease will likewise be minimized.
     Until more about preventing emphysema is understood, everyone should be alert to the symptoms. Primarily excess sputum and shortness of breath. This is not normal and should be reported to your physician and above all, quit smoking or better yet, don't start. [http://cure-smoking.blogspot.com] QUIT SMOKING NOW.COM

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Silent-Killer:-Emphysema&id=348203] Silent Killer: Emphysema

Emphysema - The Long Term Effects of Smoking Explained

By Beverly OMalley

One of the main causes of emphysema is smoking cigarettes. There are many other effects on respiratory health caused by a cigarette addiction but emphysema is the end result of all damage to the lungs caused by the inhalation of the cigarette tar, and other chemicals in cigarettes. It is the cumulative effects of cigarette smoking over a long time period that cause emphysema so the condition is often seen in older adults.

Even if you have already given up your cigarette addiction there may still be permanent changes in your lungs that can predispose to the development of emphysema at some time in the future. Nobody is immune to the effects of smoking.

Here is the explanation of how your cigarette addiction causes emphysema.

Normal Lung Anatomy

Lung anatomy includes the presence of tiny structures called cilia in the air passages. The words cilia actually comes from the Latin term for eyelash and indeed lung cilia are fine hair like structures. They are anatomical structures that occur throughout the body and their main function is motility or motion. Cilia are basically responsible for waving around and moving microscopic things through narrow tubes. In the respiratory tract the cilia are literally responsible for sweeping the airways clean. Without cilia, mucous and other debris will build up and clog the air passages.

Effects of Cigarette Smoking

One of the major effects of smoking is the paralysis and destruction of the cilia and this is how emphysema starts.

As the cilia become less and less efficient the mucous in the respiratory tract builds up. Because the cilia are being destroyed, the tar and other chemical debris that cigarettes contain cannot be removed from the lungs. More and more debris and mucus builds up in the lungs setting the stage for infection.

The air passages filled with mucus are a perfect environment for bacteria as they just love dark, warm, moist places to breed and thrive. Over time these effects of smoking continue and you become more and more susceptible to infections. As a result of the infectious process and the constant inflammation in the lungs, certain destructive enzymes are released causing more damage of your delicate lung tissue and further loss of those all important cilia.

At the same time this is happening your tiny air passages are gradually becoming obstructed with mucus and debris from all the chemicals that the cigarettes contain. The normal elastic nature of your lung tissue and the air passages is lost. Air that goes into your lungs cannot be expelled. Over time this trapped air exerts more and more pressure on the tiny air sacs in the lung tissue (called alveoli) until they eventually become stretched out and lose their elasticity. Where once you may have had thousands of these tiny little air sacs now there will only be a few hundred larger ones.

The effects of your cigarette smoking continue and more and more pressure builds up in your lung tissue. More and more damage over time results in loss of elasticity of the air passages as well. Now instead of expanding on inhalation and contracting back to normal size on exhalation your air passages simply collapse trapping more air in the air sacs.

The air contained in those air sacs is full of carbon dioxide and under normal circumstances would be expelled with every exhalation, thus making room for more oxygen rich air to be inhaled. But if your air passages are collapsed because they have lost their elasticity then the carbon dioxide filled air cannot be expelled from your lungs. It stays in there causing more and more pressure and taking up the valuable room needed for oxygen rich air.

You can see that the ultimate effects of smoking on your lungs is suffocation. If you develop emphysema you cannot get enough oxygen rich air into your lungs and eventually you will suffocate in your own carbon dioxide.

Such are the effects of smoking on your lungs over the long term.

There is no cure for emphysema. Treatment of emphysema can never be as effective as prevention and there is no treatment that will reverse the changes to your lungs caused by smoking once the damage has been done. Stopping smoking will however, stop the damage from progressing.

Do not let your respiratory health go up in smoke! If you have a cigarette addition then quit. Now! Your very breath may depend on it.

The smoking facts are known but what is smoking fiction? Explore the various reasons used to justify a cigarette addiction at http://www.smoking-facts-and-fiction.com where Beverly Hansen OMalley provides even more information about the facts on smoking diseases and health effects including the answer to the question [http://www.smoking-facts-and-fiction.com/why_do_people_smoke.html]Why Do People Smoke?

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Emphysema---The-Long-Term-Effects-of-Smoking-Explained&id=1995406] Emphysema - The Long Term Effects of Smoking Explained

Asthma: Emphysema vs Asthma

By Chris Le Roy

In the past emphysema has been seen as a death sentence. Your doctor or specialist may have explained to you that this condition is progressive, and will eventually stop you from breathing at all. You may have been told that new drugs are becoming available all the time, and new research is happening.

If you are youngish, then you may have been told there is a chance for a lung transplant later. Some doctors will simply say to make the most of the rest of your life while you still can.

While this is pretty good advice to follow anyway, there are some really interesting other things to know about. There is a theory that smoking causes emphysema. There are literally thousands of people who have emphysema, but have never smoked ó ever. They have never been exposed to even passive in any dose; they have the same condition as a 'two-packs-a-day-for-thirty-years' smoker.

Other people have what scientists describe as alpha antitrypsin deficiency, which is a genetic code that produces less of an enzyme that is needed in your lungs than 'normal' people. The interesting thing is that in the vast majority of these cases, the emphysemic condition is not seen until later in life ó even though the genetic pattern that says there should be emphysema has been there since birth.

What is the missing factor that explains what is going on?

The Missing Factor

The missing factor is the depth of breathing of each person. The only difference between asthma and emphysema is where it occurs in your breathing system. Very simply put, asthma happens in the airpipes [called 'bronchi'], whereas emphysema occurs in the bulb-like sacs at the end of the airpipes called 'alveoli'. Asthma is restriction of airflow by either squeezing the airpipes with special muscles, or blocking it up with sticky mucus, or both. Emphysema is the clogging up of the alveoli at the end of the airpipes with mucus.

The restriction of breathing in both conditions has the same cause.

Your body is try to restrict the airflow to prevent further loss of carbon dioxide [CO2]. From other articles written on Asthma you will know that if you lose too much CO2, then your body will not work, and you will die. The restriction of your airflow in asthma and emphysema is simply your body's way of forcing you to stop losing so much CO2.

Smoking

Smoking is a double whammy for emphysema. The deep breathing associated with smoking causes the loss of more CO2, which induces your mucus factories [special glands that produce mucus or 'phlegm'] to increase their output. Added to this is the effect of bringing foreign particles into your lungs. This also causes an increase in mucus production [to clean up the bits of tar and debris]. The effect is a huge increase in mucus and it is no wonder that alveoli [and bronchi] clog up.

An additional effect of bringing all of this cigarette muck into your lungs is to increase the chance of your lung cells mutating and giving you cancer. The other effect of smoking [while we are bashing this silly habit!] is that it introduces hot, dry air to your lungs. Your lungs are wet and sloppy and they function best this way. When they dry out or are heat affected they are easily damaged, and more likely to become cancerous or infected.

To conclude my tirade on smoking if you are addicted to nicotine, then find another way to get it into your body. If you must do this via your lungs then use a similar device to what marijuana or opium smokers use a pipe or 'bong'. This drags the smoke filled air through water which 'washes' it a little, and cools it a lot. The amount of gunk that gets into your lungs is decreased and you can actually see it in the foul smelling water that is left. Of course to use these devices you have to breathe very deeply, so you will still lose CO2, and still probably get emphysema but you may have a lower chance of getting cancer of the lungs, lips, mouth or throat.

If you must continue to smoke, then at least bear in mind the lessons contained in this article. You will be able to reduce the symptoms of emphysema if you follow this breathing model because you will be stopping one of the factors that produce the symptoms. The other will still exist, and you will continue to do damage until you stop.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Asthma:-Emphysema-vs-Asthma&id=365068] Asthma: Emphysema vs Asthma

Quit Smoking and Stop Emphysema

By Tom K Marshall

As a Quit Smoking Specialist I see smokers with emphysema nearly every day. Although they may vary in the severity of the disease that they may suffer from, they all have one thing in common.

They would give anything to be able to go back in time and quit smoking before they developed emphysema.

Here's a question - As a smoker, how far along the emphysema path are you at the moment? Right now?

To answer this let's have a look at what emphysema is. Emphysema is a disease of the lung where parts of the lung have been so damaged that they are dead. Some smokers have what is known as 'spotty emphysema' where there are lots of small bits of dead lung everywhere. Others have more major chunks that are dead.

In any case once that part of the lung is dead, it's dead. There is nothing you can do for it. There is no cure or drug that can fix it.

If you cut your finger, the finger will heal. However, this is very different. The lung is a very fragile organ. Once you kill parts of the lung, it's dead - forever. You will never get that lung capacity back. Think about that next time you drag back on that cigarette!

Now, if you are reading this and you are a smoker I guess you will be in one of 2 categories - pre-emphysema or post-emphysema.

Pre-Emphysema.
You don't have emphysema yet. Good! You may be aware that you get short of breath much quicker than you used to. You may have some of that disgusting phlegm and mucus in your throat in the mornings. Or a bit of an annoying cough that won't go away. Think about this - your lungs are being physically damaged from the cigarettes.

This is just your body's way of getting your attention. Your body is screaming out, "Hello! Lungs are being damaged here! Can we stop this before it's too late!"

So, stop ignoring these signs. Ensure you quit before you cause permanent damage.Being a non-smoker is a beautiful new way to live your life. Your body and your lungs will love you for it!

Post-Emphysema.
Ok, so you have been diagnosed with emphysema. Parts of your lungs have been damaged permanently. I'm sorry to hear this but we must now move on and make the best of the situation.

Now this is absolutely imperative that you quit smoking as soon as you can. The remaining healthy parts of your lungs need to have the best possible chance to heal without further damage. This will dramatically improve your prospects of being able to breathe in as much oxygen as possible. And we all need oxygen, that's for sure!

Your doctor will be giving you the best advice on what you should be doing now. There are a variety of medicines available that can help, and depending on the severity of your particular case, they will prescribe particular ones. Following the advice of your medical professional will give you the best chance of living as near a normal life as possible.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Quit-Smoking-and-Stop-Emphysema&id=6150510] Quit Smoking and Stop Emphysema

Diagnosed With Emphysema - What Next?

By Bev Langford

What is Emphysema? It is a lung disease that is characterized by shortness of breath. People with this disease usually suffer from chronic bronchitis and when the two diseases are combined it is known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emphysema is often misspelled as emphasema or emphazema.

In the structure of the lungs air is taken in through the windpipe to the bronchi which are the two main tubes that lead into the lung, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in the lung by small air sacks in the lung called alveoli. Oxygen molecules dissolve and move across a thin film of moisture from the air sac and then in to the bloodstream. This oxygenated blood is sent to the major organs of the body, first to the heart, and then pumped around the rest of the body. At the same time, carbon dioxide in the blood crosses from the capillaries to the air sacs, using the same film of moisture. The carbon dioxide is then breathed out through either the mouth or nose.

When a person has emphysema these air sacks, the alveoli, are damaged and the main tubes to the lung, the bronchi, may also be damaged which means that a person in the later stages of the disease may not get enough oxygen to the brain and other major organs of the body and will struggle to breathe normally. The airways of the lungs, the bronchi, are elastic. Repeated exposure to chemical irritants, such as cigarette smoke causes the alveoli and bronchioles lose their elasticity. The exchange of movement of oxygen from the air to the blood becomes much more difficult.

As most people with emphysema also have bouts chronic bronchitis and at times when both are present vast amounts of mucus stress, produced as a symptom of bronchitis, clog the air sacs and this further reduce the lung's normal capacity. The number of capillaries servicing the damaged alveoli gradually reduces over time. The person with emphysema has to breathe in a more exaggerated way to get sufficient amounts of oxygen and appears to be gasping for air when completing simple tasks like walking a short distance. Some sufferers explain that can feel like they are being suffocated and the only way to get rid these anxious feelings is to stay calm and not panic.

It is generally caused by cigarette smoking and long term exposure to certain industrial pollutants (like asbestos) or dust. There are a small amount of people who may have the genetically inherited disorder alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency which also causes emphysema. There is no known medical cure for this disease as the airways do not have the capacity to regenerate and heal.

Symptoms of emphysema can include:

o Breathlessness upon exertion or exercise
o In later stages, breathlessness all the time
o More like to get chest infections
o Sputum produced with chronic bronchitis
o Excessive coughing
o Fatigue and tiredness
o Expansion of the lungs in size and also ribcage.
o Cyanosis which is a blue tinge to the skin due to lack of oxygen.

People with emphysema can also be more likely to have repeated lung infections and bouts with pneumonia, have a much higher risk of collapsed lung after coughing fits and also more likely to have heart problems as the heart is forced to work harder if there is a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Treatment options can include:

o Abstain from smoking immediately
o Anti-inflammatory drugs and medications such as corticosteroids and decongestants.
o Medications to widen the airways in puffer or tablet form like as used for asthma sufferers.
o Antibiotics to clear up bronchitis infection.
o Stress management techniques.
o Healthy diet plan and good nutrition.
o Gentle, regular exercise to improve overall fitness.
o Yearly vaccination against influenza to protect against respiratory infection.
o Respiratory rehabilitation programs.
o Oxygen treatment, in severe cases.

If you have been diagnosed with emphysema, it is a great idea to speak to your doctor about respiratory rehabilitation programs. The most positive thing you can do is to look at ways of minimizing the symptoms and take advice from medical professionals who can guide you. Respiratory rehabilitation programs provide you with up to date information, latest research facts, support and education on this lung disease. They can teach effective management techniques and offer advice on adapting to life with emphysema.

Bev Langford is a social worker who has had the opportunity to work one on one with people from all walks of life. Bev has devoted her working career to assisting others who are experiencing difficulty because of mental illness, disability, financial and health issues. Bev is currently moving into the internet medium to be more effective in relation to education and assisting others.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Diagnosed-With-Emphysema---What-Next?&id=2672722] Diagnosed With Emphysema - What Next?

The Effects of Smoking on the Lungs: Emphysema

By Tim Ferenchick

In 2008, singer Amy Winehouse revealed that she had been diagnosed with an early stage of emphysema at the age of 24. Model Christy Turlington was diagnosed with early emphysema in 2000 at the age of 31.

Both were smokers.

Many people believe that emphysema is a disease that only affects older people who smoke. Certainly, most symptomatic cases of emphysema are in older people, however the damage that eventually leads to symptomatic lung disease begins soon after starting smoking.

What is Emphysema? Emphysema, along with chronic bronchitis, is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To understand what is going wrong with the lungs in emphysema, it is helpful to understand how the lungs normally work.

Your lungs are made up of thousands of tiny little air sacs called alveoli.

When your lungs expand as you breathe in, these alveoli expand like tiny little latex balloons. Oxygen from the air passes through the walls of the alveoli and into the bloodstream.

Your diaphragm muscle contracts to expand the chest when you breathe in pulling air into the lungs, but when you breathe out, the natural elasticity of the lungs automatically push the air out of the alveoli without any muscular effort.

Think of a blown-up balloon. When you let go of it, all the air is expelled from it rather quickly and automatically due to the elasticity of the latex in the balloon.

In people with emphysema, the elastic tissue surrounding the alveoli is damaged, generally by cigarette smoke. The lungs are no longer able to expel the air automatically, and air gets "trapped" in the lungs.

Think of a balloon that has been blown up too many times. It's flabby and doesn't completely deflate when you let it go. This is essentially what the lungs of a person with emphysema are like.

People with emphysema tend to be "barrel chested" because they cannot breathe out as much air from their lungs as normal people.

Sometimes these enlarged alveoli will combine together to form larger sacs called blebs. These blebs can rupture, leading to much pain and sometimes a dangerous condition called a pneumothorax.

Emphysema also makes breathing difficult in another way. The damaged lining of the alveoli doesn't allow the oxygen to pass through to the blood stream as easily. Some people with emphysema require supplemental oxygen to keep their blood oxygen levels in the normal range.

People with emphysema often breathe out through pursed lips. This helps to apply air pressure back into the lungs while they are breathing out, inflating the alveoli more fully which allows more oxygen to pass into the bloodstream.

Treatment of Emphysema Emphysema is not reversible. Once the damage is done, there is no way to repair it, other than through lung transplant.

The goal of treatment of emphysema is to stop further progression of it and to maintain the current functioning of the lungs.

Inhalers and other medications can help to improve some of the symptoms of emphysema, but by far the most important step anyone with emphysema can take that will improve the course of the disease is to quit smoking.

Overwhelmingly, the major cause of emphysema is smoking, and without stopping smoking, the damage will continue and the disease will worsen.

The damage begins not long after you start smoking even though the effects are not seen for years. The earlier that you stop smoking, the less damage you will inflict on your lungs, and the less likely that you will develop lung disease in the future.

Dr. Tim Ferenchick is a board certified family physician who works to help smokers quit. He runs multi-session quit smoking groups in partnership with the American Lung Association. He can be reached http://www.committoquitsmoking.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Effects-of-Smoking-on-the-Lungs:-Emphysema&id=6284411] The Effects of Smoking on the Lungs: Emphysema