Causes and Symptoms
Labels Emphysema
Emphysema is caused by a weakening of the tissues in the lungs as a
result of inflammation due to smoke or other chemical irritants in the air,
or a hereditary deficiency of a protein that protects the elasticity of lung
tissue. As the bronchioles in the lungs collapse and the alveoli become
enlarged, the lungs become less efficient in getting rid of carbon dioxide
and the person has to breathe more frequently in order to get enough
oxygen. In addition, the person has to use his or her chest muscles to
expel air from the lungs forcefully rather than being able to rely on the
normal movement of the diaphragm during breathing. This need to use
muscular force leads to the development of a so-called barrel chest; that
is, the person’s chest is almost the same size from front to back as from
side to side.
About 2 percent of cases of emphysema are caused by a deficiency of
a liver enzyme known as alpha 1-antitrypsin, or A1AT. The enzyme ordinarily
protects the alveoli in the lungs from damage by another enzyme
that harms connective tissue. In people with A1AT deficiency, there is
not enough of the protective enzyme to keep the alveoli in good working
condition. A1AT is an inherited condition caused by a mutation in a
gene on chromosome 14.
In addition to shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing, people
with emphysema often develop the following symptoms:
thus its symptoms may take years to become bothersome enough
to send the patient to their doctor.
result of inflammation due to smoke or other chemical irritants in the air,
or a hereditary deficiency of a protein that protects the elasticity of lung
tissue. As the bronchioles in the lungs collapse and the alveoli become
enlarged, the lungs become less efficient in getting rid of carbon dioxide
and the person has to breathe more frequently in order to get enough
oxygen. In addition, the person has to use his or her chest muscles to
expel air from the lungs forcefully rather than being able to rely on the
normal movement of the diaphragm during breathing. This need to use
muscular force leads to the development of a so-called barrel chest; that
is, the person’s chest is almost the same size from front to back as from
side to side.
About 2 percent of cases of emphysema are caused by a deficiency of
a liver enzyme known as alpha 1-antitrypsin, or A1AT. The enzyme ordinarily
protects the alveoli in the lungs from damage by another enzyme
that harms connective tissue. In people with A1AT deficiency, there is
not enough of the protective enzyme to keep the alveoli in good working
condition. A1AT is an inherited condition caused by a mutation in a
gene on chromosome 14.
In addition to shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing, people
with emphysema often develop the following symptoms:
- Pursed-lips breathing. This is a way of partially closing the lips that
allows the person to fully exhale. When the mouth opening is
smaller, the airways that have been weakened by the disease open
wide and allow the person to expel more air from the lungs. - Greater difficulty exercising or doing work that requires physical
activity. - Loss of appetite and weight loss. Eating can make it harder to
breathe because the stomach expands during a meal and pushes
upward against the diaphragm. - Fatigue. Emphysema leads to a lower level of oxygen in the blood,
which in turn causes people to feel tired easily. - Slow recovery from such upper respiratory infections as colds
and flu.
thus its symptoms may take years to become bothersome enough
to send the patient to their doctor.
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