Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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| Emphysema |
What Is Emphysema?[1]
"Emphysema is a condition in which the walls between the alveoli or air sacs within the lung lose
their ability to stretch and recoil. The air sacs become weakened and break. Elasticity of the lung
tissue is lost, causing air to be trapped in the air sacs and impairing the exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide. Also, the support of the airways is lost, allowing for airflow obstruction.
Symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, cough and a limited exercise tolerance.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently co-exist together to comprise chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD does not include other obstructive lung diseases such as
asthma.
Cigarette smoking is by far the most common cause of emphysema. Smoking is responsible for
approximately 80-90% of deaths due to COPD.1
In addition, it is estimated that 100,000 Americans living today were born with a deficiency of a
"lung protector" protein known as alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT). Another 25 million Americans carry a
single deficient gene that could be passed on to their children.
In the absence of AAT, an inherited form of emphysema called alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
related emphysema is almost inevitable. Symptoms of AAT deficiency emphysema usually begin
between 32 and 41 years of age. Smoking significantly increases the severity of emphysema in
AAT-deficient individuals."
Overview[1]
"Over 3.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema, of which 91% were 45 years
of age or older. Emphysema rarely occurs in those under 45.3 Men tend to have higher rates of
emphysema. In 2002 the emphysema prevalence rate was 52% higher in males compared to
females.
Together with chronic bronchitis and other chronic lower respiratory diseases, excluding asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S,
claiming the lives of more than 120,000 Americans.
Emphysema begins with the destruction of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs where oxygen from the
air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood. The walls of the air sacs are thin and fragile.
Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower
lungs.
As air sacs are destroyed, the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the
bloodstream, causing shortness of breath. The lungs also lose their elasticity, which is important
to keep airways open. The patient experiences great difficulty exhaling.
Emphysema doesn't develop suddenly. It comes on very gradually. Years of exposure to the
irritation of cigarette smoke usually precede the development of emphysema.
A person may initially visit the doctor because he or she has begun to feel short of breath during
activity or exercise. As the disease progresses, a brief walk can be enough to bring on difficulty
in breathing. Some people may have had chronic bronchitis before developing emphysema."
Outlook[1]
"Doctors can help persons with emphysema live more comfortably with their disease. The goal of
treatment is to provide relief of symptoms and prevent progression of the disease with a minimum
of side effects. The doctor's advice and treatment may include:
Quitting smoking: the single most important factor for maintaining healthy lungs.
Bronchodilator drugs (prescription drugs that relax and open air passages in the lungs): may be
prescribed to treat emphysema if there is a tendency toward airway constriction or tightening.
These drugs may be inhaled as aerosol sprays or taken orally.
Alternative Medicine[2]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does not
fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[3]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please contact us
either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] American Lung Association
[2] Wikipedia
[3] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 7.
ISBN 1565656261.
"Emphysema is a condition in which the walls between the alveoli or air sacs within the lung lose
their ability to stretch and recoil. The air sacs become weakened and break. Elasticity of the lung
tissue is lost, causing air to be trapped in the air sacs and impairing the exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide. Also, the support of the airways is lost, allowing for airflow obstruction.
Symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, cough and a limited exercise tolerance.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently co-exist together to comprise chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD does not include other obstructive lung diseases such as
asthma.
Cigarette smoking is by far the most common cause of emphysema. Smoking is responsible for
approximately 80-90% of deaths due to COPD.1
In addition, it is estimated that 100,000 Americans living today were born with a deficiency of a
"lung protector" protein known as alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT). Another 25 million Americans carry a
single deficient gene that could be passed on to their children.
In the absence of AAT, an inherited form of emphysema called alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
related emphysema is almost inevitable. Symptoms of AAT deficiency emphysema usually begin
between 32 and 41 years of age. Smoking significantly increases the severity of emphysema in
AAT-deficient individuals."
Overview[1]
"Over 3.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema, of which 91% were 45 years
of age or older. Emphysema rarely occurs in those under 45.3 Men tend to have higher rates of
emphysema. In 2002 the emphysema prevalence rate was 52% higher in males compared to
females.
Together with chronic bronchitis and other chronic lower respiratory diseases, excluding asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S,
claiming the lives of more than 120,000 Americans.
Emphysema begins with the destruction of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs where oxygen from the
air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood. The walls of the air sacs are thin and fragile.
Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower
lungs.
As air sacs are destroyed, the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the
bloodstream, causing shortness of breath. The lungs also lose their elasticity, which is important
to keep airways open. The patient experiences great difficulty exhaling.
Emphysema doesn't develop suddenly. It comes on very gradually. Years of exposure to the
irritation of cigarette smoke usually precede the development of emphysema.
A person may initially visit the doctor because he or she has begun to feel short of breath during
activity or exercise. As the disease progresses, a brief walk can be enough to bring on difficulty
in breathing. Some people may have had chronic bronchitis before developing emphysema."
Outlook[1]
"Doctors can help persons with emphysema live more comfortably with their disease. The goal of
treatment is to provide relief of symptoms and prevent progression of the disease with a minimum
of side effects. The doctor's advice and treatment may include:
Quitting smoking: the single most important factor for maintaining healthy lungs.
Bronchodilator drugs (prescription drugs that relax and open air passages in the lungs): may be
prescribed to treat emphysema if there is a tendency toward airway constriction or tightening.
These drugs may be inhaled as aerosol sprays or taken orally.
- Antibiotics: if you have a bacterial infection, such as pneumococcal pneumonia.
- Steroids: these may be used for relapses or "acute exacerbations."
- Exercise: including breathing exercises to strengthen the muscles used in breathing as
part of a pulmonary* rehabilitation program to condition the rest of the body. - Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor (A1PI): only if a person has AAT deficiency-related
emphysema. A1PI is not recommended for those who develop emphysema as a result of
cigarette smoking or other environmental factors. - Lung transplantation: a major procedure, which can be effective.
- Lung volume reduction surgery: a surgical procedure in which the most severely diseases
portions of the lung are removed to allow the remaining lung and breathing muscles to
work better. The short-term results are promising but those with severe forms are at higher
risk of death. Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced
that they intend to cover LVRS for people with non-high risk severe emphysema, who meet
the criteria stated in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT). In addition, CMS
has decided that LVRS is "reasonable and necessary" only for qualified patients that
undergo therapy before and after the surgery. CMS is currently composing accreditation
standards for LVRS facilities and will use these standards to determine where the surgery
will be covered."
Alternative Medicine[2]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does not
fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[3]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please contact us
either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] American Lung Association
[2] Wikipedia
[3] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 7.
ISBN 1565656261.
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