Emphysema is a common lung disease that can lead to significant damage to the alveoli walls of your lungs. This damage can also cause blockage which may trap air and make it extremely hard to breathe. If this condition is left untreated then the number of alveoli will reduce that will eventually supply less blood in the bloodstream.
In case of any early signs of emphysema it is essential to contact the best doctor to avail of effective treatments of pulmonology in Siliguri. Effective treatment will help you control the distressing symptoms while reducing the shrinkage in the surface area of the lungs for proper oxygen supply.
Given below is a detailed guide about the stages, early signs, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Stages
The four stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are used for describing the stages of emphysema. The overall functioning of the lungs and experienced symptoms are some of the ways of determining the stage.
The first stage of emphysema is the mildest one where almost around 80% of your lungs are working properly. When this rate drops to 50% then it is considered as the second or moderate stage emphysema. During the third or severe stage of the disorder, only 30% of the lungs work and if this rate drops more then it is considered as the last or very severe stage of emphysema.
Symptoms
In most cases, you don’t experience any prominent symptoms of emphysema until more than 50% of the lung tissue is destroyed. The early signs of this disorder that you should never ignore are tiredness and shortness of breath.
In the progressive stages, you can start experiencing other symptoms as well as which include abnormal colour of the mucus, wheezing, cough, ongoing fatigue, chest tightness, and weight loss. You must contact the best pulmonologist in Siliguri if you have any of these symptoms.
Causes
One of the leading causes of emphysema is smoking since smoking cigarettes not only damages the lung tissue but it also impacts your airways. It is also the main reason behind shortness of breath due to damaged and irritated cilia.
Apart from smoking, the other contributing factors of emphysema are air pollution, consumption of marijuana, constant exposure to chemical fumes, dust, vaping, and e-cigarettes.
Diagnosis
To confirm the stage of emphysema and determine the best treatment option, the doctor may perform some diagnostic screening tests, which include a CT scan and chest X-ray to spot the damaged areas in the lungs.
Apart from the screening tests, the other diagnostic procedures recommended by the doctor include electrocardiogram, pulmonary function testing, genetic tests, and arterial blood gas.
Treatment
The treatment plan for emphysema is dedicated to maximizing lung function and slowing down the progression. The effective treatment options for it include smoking cessation, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and lung volume reduction surgery. If most of the areas of the lungs are destroyed, then the doctor can also perform a lung transplant surgery.
Consulting a lungs specialist doctor in Siliguri while experiencing the early signs will enable you to prevent the serious stages of emphysema and control the symptoms. Some of the measures that can be taken to prevent this disorder are avoiding chemical fumes, second-hand smoke, and allergens such as pet dander and pollen.
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