Essay On Emphysema

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Emphysema
There are many different cardiopulmonary diseases that a person can be afflicted with. When it comes to obstructive diseases, emphysema is one that is almost completely preventable; with the exception of patients with true emphysema, which I will discuss the causes of later.
Pathophysiology
Emphysema is caused by the progression of chronic bronchitis, which is most commonly caused by cigarette smoking or long term inhalation of noxious stimuli (Medscape, 2012). The umbrella term for this is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. As the disease progresses, the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles become enlarged. There is a notable reduction in the alveolar surface area that is available to perform adequate gas exchange needed to provide the tissues with oxygen. Since there is limited surface area available, there is going to be a diffusion issue at the AC membrane. This patient’s respiration and ventilation are going to be dependent on hypercapnic (hypoxic) drive, meaning that the lungs become used to the high levels of carbon dioxide levels and low oxygen levels. These patients are usually the older patients being that most advanced stages of emphysema are seen in 60-70 age range.
There is a genetic factor that also plays into development of emphysema. This form is called “true emphysema.” In this form of the disease there is a deficiency of an enzyme produced in the liver called Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT). This enzyme is released in the body to prevent the elastic breakdown of the alveolar wall. The prevalence of this type of emphysema is minimal. According to Egan’s, it only accounts for about two to three percent of all cases diagnosed. When there is a deficiency of AAT (below 57mg/dl), neutrophil ...

... middle of paper ...

...right treatments and medication to increase their survivability rate.

References
COPD/Emphysema (n.d.). In National Emphysema Foundation. Retrieved December 30, 2013, from http://www.emphysemafoundation.org/index.php/the-lung/copd-emphysema
Demirjian, B. (2012, September 17). Emphysema. In Medscape. Retrieved December 23, 2013, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/298283-overview#a0101
Kacmarek, R. M., Stoller, J. K., & Heuer, A. J. (2013). Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care (10th ed., pp. 526-535). St Louis, MO: Mosby.
Sharafkhaneh, A., Hanania, N. A., & Kim, V. (2008, May 1). Pathogenesis of Emphysema. American Thoracic Society, 475-477. doi:10.1513/pats.200708-126ET
Taraseviciene-Stewart, L., & Voelkel, N. (2008, February 1). Molecular pathogenesis of emphysema. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 394-402. doi:10.1172/JCI31811

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