General Nursing©

EMPHYSEMA

Symptoms:

• Breathing difficulty-shortness of breath, wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing).
• Barrel-shaped chest.
• Chronic cough with phlegm, when accompanied by chronic bronchitis.
• Tiredness and a low level of energy.
• Bluish lips and complexion due to the lack of oxygen in the blood.
• Swollen ankles and legs.

Complications:

• Frequent infection of the upper respiratory tract (airways).
• Pneumonia (lung infection).
• Respiratory failure.
• Heart failure.
• Death.

Common causes:

When a person inhales, millions of alveoli in each lung transfer the oxygen from the air into the blood and exchange carbon dioxide that is exhaled. Tobacco and other pollutants stimulate the alveoli to release certain chemicals that damaged the alveoli walls. The alveoli burst then blend, becoming larger, fewer, and form stiff air sacs, leading to a less efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

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