Emphysema Of The Lungs - Types, Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Emphysema of the lungs

General characteristics of the disease

Emphysema of the lungs occurs when the alveoli of the lung tissue stretch beyond acceptable limits and lose the ability to reverse contraction. In this case, there is a violation of the normal flow of oxygen into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from the body, which leads to heart failure.

In accordance with the modern classification, diffuse and bullous emphysema of the lungs are distinguished. The first form involves complete tissue damage. Bullous pulmonary emphysema is diagnosed when swollen (enlarged) areas are adjacent to normal lung tissue.

Causes of pulmonary emphysema

The disease often manifests itself as a consequence of chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma. The bullous form can also occur under the influence of hereditary factors and some lung diseases, in particular, tuberculosis. In addition, factors such as smoking and excessive air pollution, which are especially typical in large cities, affect the development of the disease.

Emphysema of the lungs - symptoms

Severe shortness of breath up to suffocation, widening of the intercostal spaces, a barrel-shaped chest, weakened breathing, a decrease in the mobility of the diaphragm, an increase in the transparency of the pulmonary fields during X-ray examination - these are the symptoms that manifest themselves in pulmonary emphysema. Treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the symptoms and the clinical picture.

The primary stage of development of pulmonary emphysema is characterized by: severe shortness of breath, rapid fatigue with any physical exertion, the effect of the so-called "panting", a violation of the gas composition of the blood and collapse of small bronchi.

As the condition of the lung tissue deteriorates, the transparency of the lung fields increases, the diaphragm is displaced and other changes that interfere with normal gas exchange.

Emphysema of the lungs - treatment and prognosis

In the treatment of pulmonary emphysema, the main measures are aimed at eliminating respiratory failure and treating the disease, under the influence of which a person has a disease. Treatment with folk remedies shows quite effective results, however, we in no way recommend abandoning traditional medical methods.

Basic principles of pulmonary emphysema treatment:

• quitting smoking is one of the most important steps in your recovery. Note that a sharp, one-step reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked has a much greater effect than a gradual quitting of tobacco;
• the appointment of antibacterial drugs - the main drugs are anticholinergics (berodual, atrovent), beta-2 sympathomimetics (berotek, salbutamol) and theophyllines (aminophylline, teopec). The choice of the drug and the intensity of therapy depend on the severity of those symptoms with which pulmonary emphysema manifests itself. Treatment with antibacterial complexes is combined with the intake of expectorants;
• breathing exercises, which improve gas exchange. Typically, patients are prescribed atmospheric air with a reduced oxygen content for 5 minutes. For the next 5 minutes, the patient breathes regular air. The cyclic scheme is repeated 6-7 times during 1 session. The full course of treatment lasts about 3 weeks;
• pulmonary emphysema, symptoms of which are associated with severe respiratory failure, is treated with low-flow oxygen therapy. It can also be used at home, using compressed gas cylinders or special concentrators as oxygen sources;
• in recent years, doctors have been actively using aeroionotherapy, which shows good results in eliminating respiratory failure. The course of treatment lasts 15-20 days;
• effective and special breathing exercises, training programs aimed at ensuring that a person can control their breathing;
• positional drainage is used for better sputum drainage - the patient takes a certain position in which the cough reflex and viscous sputum deliver the least inconvenience. In this case, it is possible to combine the drainage treatment of emphysema with the use of expectorant herbs and infusions, for example, thermopsis, wild rosemary, plantain or coltsfoot.

Is it possible to permanently cure pulmonary emphysema? Forecasts are individual in each case and depend on how fully patients fulfill all the recommendations of the attending physician, and whether they are ready to make certain sacrifices for the sake of their health. Also, the timely detection and adequate treatment of the disease that led to emphysema has a huge impact on the treatment process.

Emphysema of the lungs - treatment with folk remedies

Home remedies:

• drink the juice of green tops of potatoes with a daily increase in the dose until the volume of juice reaches half a glass;
• inhalation of vapors of potatoes "in their uniforms";
• applying pieces of pre-boiled potatoes to the chest.

Herbal infusions:

• add three tablespoons of buckwheat flowers to 500 ml of boiling water. Leave the mixture in a thermos for two hours. Take half a glass 3-4 times a day;
• take one part of the fruit of the juniper and the root of the dandelion, add two parts of a birch leaf to them and pour the resulting mixture with boiling water. The broth is infused for three hours, after which it is filtered and poured into a suitable container. The infusion should be consumed 2-3 times a day. The standard dosage is 1/3 cup;
• a teaspoon of potatoes is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused for one hour and filtered. Take half a glass of infusion 40 minutes before meals for one month.

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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!