In
my case the VA doctors don’t know why I have COPD/Emphysema/Lung disease but I
believe it is cause by my exposure to AGENT ORANGE
during my tour in
I
am now on Oxygen 24 hours a day due to this problem.
Here
is some info on EMPHYSEMA:
WHAT
IS EMPHYSEMA?
Emphysema is a condition in which the walls between the alveoli or air sacs
within the lung lose their ability to stretch and recoil. The air sacs become
weakened and break. Elasticity of the lung tissue is lost, causing air to
be trapped in the air sacs and impairing the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide. Also, the support of the airways is lost, allowing for airflow
obstruction.
Early symptoms include shortness of breath and cough.
Symptoms of emphysema include shortness of
breath, cough and a limited exercise tolerance. Emphysema and chronic
bronchitis frequently co-exist together to comprise chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD does not include other obstructive lung diseases
such as asthma.
WHAT CAUSES OF EMPHYSEMA?
Cigarette smoking is by far the most common cause of emphysema. Smoking
is responsible for approximately 80-90% of deaths due to COPD.
In
addition, it is estimated that 100,000 Americans living today were born with a
deficiency of a "lung protector" protein known as alpha 1-antitrypsin
(AAT). Another 25 million Americans carry a single deficient gene that could be
passed on to their children.
In
the absence of AAT, an inherited form of emphysema called alpha 1-antitrypsin
deficiency related emphysema is almost inevitable. Symptoms of AAT
deficiency emphysema usually begin between 32 and 41 years of age.
Smoking significantly increases the severity of emphysema in AAT-deficient
individuals.
HOW SERIOUS IS EMPHYSEMA?
Over 3.1 million Americans have been
diagnosed with emphysema, of which 91% were 45 years of age or older.
Emphysema rarely occurs in those under 45. Men tend to have higher
rates of emphysema. In 2002 the emphysema prevalence rate was 52% higher
in males compared to females.
Together
with chronic bronchitis and other chronic lower respiratory diseases, excluding
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading
cause of death in the U.S, claiming the lives of more than 120,000 Americans.
HOW DOES EMPHYSEMA DEVELOP?
Emphysema begins with the destruction of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs where
oxygen from the air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood. The walls of
the air sacs are thin and fragile. Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and
results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower lungs.
As
air sacs are destroyed, the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to
the bloodstream, causing shortness of breath. The lungs also lose their
elasticity, which is important to keep airways open. The patient
experiences great difficulty exhaling.
Emphysema
doesn't develop suddenly. It comes on very gradually. Years of exposure
to the irritation of cigarette smoke usually precede the development of
emphysema.
A
person may initially visit the doctor because he or she has begun to feel short
of breath during activity or exercise. As the disease progresses, a brief walk
can be enough to bring on difficulty in breathing. Some people may have had
chronic bronchitis before developing emphysema.
TREATMENT FOR EMPHYSEMA
Doctors can help persons with emphysema live more comfortably with their
disease. The goal of treatment is to provide relief of symptoms and prevent
progression of the disease with a minimum of side effects. The doctor's advice
and treatment may include:
Quitting smoking: the single most important factor for maintaining healthy lungs.
Bronchodilator
drugs (prescription drugs that relax and open air passages in the lungs): may be prescribed to treat emphysema if there is a
tendency toward airway constriction or tightening. These drugs may be inhaled
as aerosol sprays or taken orally.
Antibiotics: if you have a bacterial infection, such as pneumococcal pneumonia.
Steroids: these may be used for relapses or "acute
exacerbations."
Exercise: including breathing exercises to strengthen the
muscles used in breathing as part of a pulmonary* rehabilitation program to
condition the rest of the body.
*The
term "pulmonary" refers to the lungs.
Alpha
1-Proteinase Inhibitor (A1PI): only
if a person has AAT deficiency-related emphysema. A1PI is not recommended for
those who develop emphysema as a result of cigarette smoking or other
environmental factors.
Lung
transplantation: a major procedure,
which can be effective.
Lung
volume reduction surgery: a surgical
procedure in which the most severely diseases portions of the lung are removed
to allow the remaining lung and breathing muscles to work better. The
short-term results are promising but those with severe forms are at higher risk
of death. Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (
PREVENTION OF EMPHYSEMA
Continuing research is being done to find answers for
many questions about emphysema, especially about the best ways to prevent the
disease.
Researchers
know that quitting smoking can prevent the occurrence and decrease the progression
of emphysema. Other environmental controls can also help prevent the disease.
If
an individual has emphysema, the doctor will work hard to prevent the disease
from getting worse by keeping the patient healthy and clear of any infection.
The patient can participate in this prevention effort by following these
general health guidelines:
Emphysema
is a serious disease. It damages your lungs, and it can damage your heart. See
your doctor at the first sign of symptoms.
Maintain
overall good health habits, which include proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and
regular exercise to build up your stamina and resistance to infections.
Reduce
your exposure to air pollution, which may aggravate symptoms of emphysema.
Refer to radio or television weather reports or your local newspaper for
information about air quality. On days when the ozone (smog) level is
unhealthy, restrict your activity to early morning or evening. When pollution
levels are dangerous, remain indoors and stay as comfortable as possible.
Consult
your doctor at the start of any cold or respiratory infection because infection
can make your emphysema symptoms worse. Ask about getting vaccinated against
influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.
Sources:
1.
2.
Alpha1 Network.
What is Alpha-1? www.alphaone.org
3.
4.
National Vital
Statistics System. Deaths: Final Data for 2002. October 2004.
5.
Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services. Decision Memo for Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
(