Symptoms of Emphysema
The Emphysema Symptoms are sometimes difficult to explain, especially since they can vary so much from person to person. The reason the symptoms may be so easy to overlook is because it is only one disease among many that are categorized under the diagnosis of COPD. If you feel that you have emphysema, you should talk to you doctor immediately so that you can begin a treatment plan that is right for you.
COPD Emphysema
COPD is a cluster of diseases that share common characteristics. These include shortness of breath upon exertion of the body. There are many causes of COPD and many of them of preventable. These involve smoking cigarettes, secondhand smoke, air pollution, and occupational hazards such as breathing in dust or chemicals.
Many people have Emphysema, or Emphysema like symptoms a lot earlier than they are diagnosed. Most people do not seek treatment until the symptoms begin to affect their daily life. If you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of COPD or Emphysema Symptoms, encourage them to seek the advice of a medical professional. Catching these diseases early is very important to the quality of treatment they will receive, and can also help them live longer.
Emphysema Symptoms
The main symptom of this disease is shortness of breath. In severe cases, this can even happen at rest. Conferring with your doctor on whether or not medication and exercise can help relieve this symptom, completely or in part, is a very important aspect of treatment. Another symptom that patients notice is rapid breathing. This can feel as though you are breathing through a straw and still not getting enough oxygen. Wheezing has also been noted, this is because many patients have increased production of sputum. Many people that have Emphysema symptoms also have a chronic deep cough. Since Emphysema makes breathing hard, many people have a loss of appetite and start to loose weight.
Diagnosing Emphysema
When you go to your doctors office, they will preform a physical exam, just as they do at any other visit. The doctor will be looking for signs of emphysema, not symptoms. The doctor will look to see if you are breathing hard just sitting on the exam table. They will also look for whether your chest has become barrel shaped, as many do if affected by emphysema long enough. They will also look to see if you are using extra muscles to aid you in breathing. When you are having trouble breathing, you will use muscles that you do not typically use. Also, the doctor will listen to your chest to see if it sounds more hallow than usual, or if there is wheezing or other sounds in your lungs.
Relieving Emphysema Symptoms
The first step in relieving the symptoms of emphysema is to remove the cause. Quitting smoking or changing jobs may be necessary to help relieve and slow the progression. Ask you physician if you can exercise, sometime working the muscles can strengthen them. As with any disease under the category of COPD, you may be placed on medication or an inhaler to help your lungs absorb the oxygen they get, or to help open up your airway. Since with COPD the airway can become restricted, just as it can with asthma, it is very important to take the medication as directed to keep your more severe Emphysema Symptoms from coming back.
It is very important to talk to your doctor if there are any changes in the way you respond to your medication or if your medication is not as effective as it used to be. Letting the doctor know about these changes can help with early intervention and changing your medication as your body becomes used to it.
