Davidson County
Health Department
HEALTH TO YOU A – Z
INFORMATION SHEET
Emphysema
What is Emphysema?
When you breathe in or out air travels in your windpipe or your trachea then your bronchial tubes.
Millions of tiny air sacs, called alveoli, are at the end of the bronchial tubes. The aveoli are
clustered like grapes. When a person develops emphysema, the inner walls of the aveoli rupture
or burst creating one large air space instead of many small ones. This causes a reduction in the
surface area of the lungs leading to reduced oxygen that enters the blood stream. When a person
with Emphysema exhales or breathes out, the damaged alveoli don’t work properly and the old air
gets trapped leaving no room for oxygen rich air that is so needed by the body. Treatment can
slow the the progression of damage to the aveoli, but cannot repair the damage. A person can
have Emphysema for many years and not notice any signs or symptoms of the disease. The risk
factors for Emphysema are: Smoking, cigarette, pipe, and cigar, age between 40 and 60,
Secondhand smoke, Occupational exposure to fumes or dust and pollution, genetics. Emphysema
is one of the conditions that are included in COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, see
Health To You A – Z, COPD.
What are the symptoms of it?
 Shortness of breath – Begins gradually and is not usually noticed until it interferes with
daily living. Eventually the shortness of breath is noticed even at rest.
 Lips and fingernails have a bluish tint when you try to exert yourself
 Cold air causes spasms of the bronchial tubes making it harder to breathe.
 More frequent lung infections like pneumonia
 Weight loss
When should you see your health care provider?
 A person that has been diagnosed with Emphysema should have a medical provider that
he/she feels comfortable with. A close relationship between a patient with Emphysema
and doctor is very important. Treatment for Emphysema can alleviate symptoms, decrease
the severity and frequency of exacerbations or worsening of the condition, and increase
exercise tolerance.
 Fever above 100.5 or whatever the medical provider has instructed
 Increased shortness of breath
 Cough with mucus that is thick and bloody or green/brown
 Increased fatigue
 Confusion or diminished mental alertness
How is the Emphysema treated?
 Stopping cigarette smoking and reducing irritants as much as possible
 Bronchodialtors, Inhaled Steroids, and Antibiotics when sick.
 Oxygen therapy as needed
 Pulmonary and nutritional rehabilitation
 Surgery is a fairly new treatment and may not be available in this area
PO Box 439, Lexington, NC 27293
(336) 242-2300
www.dchdnc.com