EMPHYSEMA

EMPHYSEMA

• Is a disorder in which the alveolar walls are

destroyed. This destruction leads to
permanent over distention of the air spaces.
• Is a lung condition that causes shortness of
breath. The air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are
damaged.
• Is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease) involving damage to the
air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.
• Makes it hard to catch your breath. You may
also have a chronic cough and have trouble
breathing during exercise. The most common
cause is cigarette smoking.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Chest X-ray. Can help confirm a

diagnosis of emphysema and rule out
other lung conditions.
• Arterial Blood Gases Analysis. These
blood tests measure how well your lungs
transfer oxygen to your bloodstream and
remove carbon dioxide.
• CT Scan. a CT Scan of your chest will
show if your air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs
have been destroyed.
PREDISPOSING RISK FACTORS

• CIGARETTE SMOKING. More than 90 percent of

cases occur in people who smoke or have
smoked cigarettes. The risk for emphysema
increases with number of cigarettes a person
smokes each day and the longer the person
smokes.
• SECOND-HAND SMOKE. It also increases.
Chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause
continous low-grade inflammation in lung tissue.
Inflammatory cells releases enzymes which
break down substances in alveolar walls that
maintain the structure and elasticity of the air
sacs.
PRECPITATING FACTORS

• SMOKING- Emphysema is most likely to develop in cigarette

smokers, but cigar and pipe smokers are susceptible.
• AGE- Although the lung damage that occurs in emphysema
develops gradually over time, most people with tobacco-
related emphysema begin to experience symptoms of the ages
of 40 and 60.
• EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE- also known as passive or
environmental tobacco smoke, is smoke that you inadvertently
inhale from someone else’s cigarette, pipe or cigar. This can
begin at a young age when the exposure occurs.
• OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO FUMES OR DUST- If you breathe
fumes from certain chemicals or dust from grain, cotton, wood
or mining, products, you’re more likely to develop emphysema.
• GENETICS- Some people have a deficiency of a protein known
as alpha1-antitrypsin. This is a genetic factor that can lead to a
rare form of emphysema. Alpha1-antitrypsin protects the lungs
against the destruction of alveolar tissue by neutrophil elastase.
Pathophysiology

• Pathologically defined as permanent

enlargement of airspaces distal to the
terminal bronchioles, emphysema
creates an environment leading to a
dramatic decline in the alveolar surface
area available for gas exchange. Loss of
individual alveoli with septal wall
destruction leads to airflow limitation via
two mechanisms.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

• A chronic cough is one of the early signs of

emphysema, alongside shortness of breath.
• Frequent lung infections
• A lot of mucus
• Wheezing
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blue-tinged lips or fingernail beds, or cyanosis,
due to a lack of oxygen.
• Anxiety and depression
• Sleep problems
MEDICATIONS

• Bronchodilators- By relaxing the smooth muscles

of the bronchioles I conditions associated with
bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, it can relieve
bronchospasms.
• Steroids-Your doctor may prescribe
corticosteroids in an inhaler form. Corticosteroids
relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation.
• Antibiotics- preventing infections
• Indacaterol- is a long acting beta2-agonist
(LABA) indicated for long term, once-daily
maintenance bronchodilator treatment of
airflow obstruction in patients with COPD,
including chronic bronchitis/emphysema
NURSING DIAGNOSIS

• Impaired Gas Exchange related to decreased

ventilation and mucus plugs
• Ineffective Airway clearance related to
excessive secretions and ineffective coughing
• Risk for infection related to ineffective
pulmonary clearance
• Activity Intolerance related to inadequate
oxygen and dyspnea
• Disturbed Sleep Pattern related to dyspnea and
external stimuli
• Anxiety related to acute breathing difficulties
and fear of suffocation
• Chronic Pain
NURSING MEDICAL
MANAGEMENT
• The goal of therapy for emphysema is to
provide relief of symptoms, prevent
complications and slow the progression
of the disease. Quitting smoking is also
essential for patients with emphysema,
since continuing to use tobacco will only
further damage the lungs.
• People who have emphysema and
smoke should quit smoking immediately.