How
to Recognize Emphysema Symptoms
Emphysema is a serious and deadly
disease that is caused when the small air sacs and small airways
in your lungs are damaged. When they are damaged, it obstructs airflow
and makes exhaling difficult. You are constantly experiencing a
shortness of breath and, as your body attempts to breathe properly,
it expels a large amount of energy. Lack of breath and reduced capacity
to do most physical activities are the main emphysema symptoms.
Unfortunately, emphysema symptoms can worsen over time and sufferers
can eventually have trouble breathing while lying down or not be
able to breathe very well after contracting a cold or the flu.
Aside from breathing problems and a diminished ability to do physical
activities, other emphysema symptoms include:
- A mild yet chronic cough—although
a cough is not common among emphysema symptoms, it is possible.
Still, these coughs don’t usually bring up phlegm like
it would if a person had bronchitis. If you have a cough with
phlegm it may mean you actually have chronic bronchitis, another
form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, instead.
- Fatigue—the constant act of trying
to breathe can bring on this feeling of tiredness. Your body
is not only tired from trying to breathe but also from lack
of oxygen. Considering it is difficult to breath when you have
emphysema, many sufferers will stop exercising leading them
to get out of shape.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss—although
you can become out of shape while suffering from emphysema,
you can also lose your desire to eat. The disease makes eating
difficult and hinders the sufferer’s ability to breathe.
This causes the sufferer to not eat very much and lose an excess
amount of weight.
If you’re experiencing these emphysema
symptoms, consult your physician. She will be able to prescribe
you treatments such as bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, supplemental
oxygen, among other aides to help control your emphysema symptoms
and allow you to breathe easier.
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