Emphysema

Those suffering from emphysema where the walls of the air sacs in the lungs break down include:

• increasing breathlessness even during minor activity such as climbing the stairs
• a persistent chesty cough with phlegm in smokers and non-smokers
• frequent chest infections
• persistent wheezing

If left the symptoms will get worse. There may also be sudden 'flare ups' of symptoms.

If your consultant suspects you have emphysema, based on your complaints, they may conduct one of the following:

• physical examination focusing on your breathing sounds, your heart and general physical appearance
• a chest X-ray
• a lung function test with a monitoring device
• a blood test to check your white blood cell count or if you have a history of genetic disease
• an arterial blood gas test to measure blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels

The damage to the lungs caused by emphysema is permanent. Treatment can help slow down the diseases progress. What type of treatment depends on your own circumstances, but can include:

• help to stop smoking
• inhalers and medications to help make breathing easier
• pulmonary rehabilitation (a specialised programme of exercise and education)
• surgery or a lung transplant (a last resort for a very small number of people)