Emphysema :: essays research papers

pulmonary emphysema is one of several diseases usually labeled collectively as inveterate obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its the most common case of death from respiratory disease in the United States approximately 2 million Americans are afflicted with the disease. Emphysema(COPD) appears to be more prevalent in men than women. Postmortem findings let out few adult lungs without some gunpoint of emphysema. Causes Emphysema(COPD) whitethorn be caused by a genetic deficiency of alpha 1 -antitrypsin (AAN) and by cigarette smoking. Genetically, one in 3,000 newborns are effect with the disease, and 1% to 3% of all cases of emphysema are due to AAT deficiency. pouf smoking is thought to cause 20% of the cases. Other causative factors are unknown. ComplicationsIn emphysema(COPD), complications whitethorn include recurrent respiratory tract infections, cor pulmonale, and respiratory failure. Peptic ulcer disease strikes 20% to 25% of patients with COPD. Additionally, alveolar blebs and bullae may rupture, leading to spontaneous pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. Assessment findingsThe patient history may reveal that the patient is a long-time smoker. The patient may report precipitousness of breath and a chronic cough. The history may also reveal anorexia with resultant weight loss and a general feeling of malaise. reappraisal may show a barrel- tittyed patient who breathes through pursed lips and also uses colleague muscles. You may notice peripheral cyanosis, clubbed fingers and toes, and tachypnea. Palpation may reveal diminish tactile fremitus and decreased chest expansion. Percussion may detect hyper resonance. On auscultation, you may hear decreased breath sounds, crackles and wheezing during inspiration, a lengthen expiratory phase with grunting respirations, and distant heart sounds.Diagnostic testsChest X-rays in advanced disease may show a flattened diaphragm, trim down vascular markings at the lung periphery, over aeration of the lungs , a unsloped heart, enlarged anteroposterior chest diameter, and large retrosternal air space. Pulmonary function tests typically indicate change magnitude residual volume and total lung capacity, reduced diffusing capacity, and increased inspiratory flow.Electrocardiography may reveal tall, eymmetrical P waves in leads II, III and aVf vertical QRS axis and signs of right ventricular hypertrophy late in the disease. cerise blood cell count usually demonstrates an increased hemoglobin take late in the disease when the patient has persistent severe hypoxia.