Type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Description

Emphysema or type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which involves damage of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. The most frequent cause of this disorder is smoking. The walls of the alveoli are being deteriorated which reduces a patient's ability to get oxygen into the blood. If patients continue to smoke, the deterioration is getting worse which results in need for chronic use of oxygen, potential damage to the heart and lung failure.

Symptoms

Symptoms are very light at the beginning and then rapidly and progressively getting worse. Symptoms involve: shortness of breath, wheezing during breathing, chest narrowness, reduced capacity for physical activities, loss of appetite and weight and tiredness.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be performed. Other examinations for confirmation of diagnosis may include: lung function test, chest CT scan and sputum analysis.

Tests

CT scan, lung function test (spirometry) and X-rays.

Additional analyses

Lung function tests (spirometry), arterial blood gas test.

Specialists

General Practice, Internal Medicine and Pulmology

Therapy

Therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms. Treatment includes bronchodilators (salbutamol/Ventolin, Spalmotil), inhaled steroids (Symbicort, Pulmicort), supplementary oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and antibiotics for accompanying infections. In severe cases surgical removal of damaged lung, and/or a lung transplantation may be required. The most important aspect of treatment is to stop smoking.