Overcoming Addiction: A Personal Journey Through Emphysema

I finally quit smoking after 30 years, after my doctor told me that I wouldn’t see my kids graduate if I continued to smoke. Initially, it was torture for me. I would often have headaches and nausea, which resulted in me being irritable all the time. However, after a few months, those symptoms disappeared. I thought that for once, I finally got past my dark history of smoking. However, there were a few symptoms that still lingered. I had a cough that just wouldn’t go away, my lips would turn blue whenever I exercised, and I had excruciating shortness of breath. I thought that these were symptoms of smoking that would eventually go away but they lingered on for months after I quit. Eventually, I saw a doctor and he diagnosed me with COPD, or emphysema. He explained to me that my emphysema was a direct cause of my prolonged smoking. Although, it can be caused by the lack of an inherited protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, which protects the elastic structures (alveoli) in the lungs. He also said that air pollution, manufacturing fumes, and second hand smoke could have an impact but my history of smoking was most likely to blame. In order to have full comprehension of my disease, I asked my doctor to elaborate on the anatomy of the lung

There is currently no cure but there are effective lifestyle changes that can be implemented to slow the progression of my disease. I will have to avoid respiratory irritants such as fumes, cooking odors, and certain fumes. It is also imperative for me to exercise regularly, despite my symptoms. I will also have to make sure to protect myself from cold air, which can cause spasms of the bronchial passages, and prevent respiratory infections by getting an annual flu shot and practicing sanitary procedures such as washing my hands and wearing a face mask if needed. I will make sure to follow all of these steps so that I will be able to see my kids