Customer question:
What symptoms does emphysema cause? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Pulmonary emphysema is a chronic respiratory disease that usually develops gradually. The main symptoms of pulmonary emphysema include:
- Breathing problems: one of the key features of emphysema is difficulty breathing. Individuals with emphysema may feel as if they cannot inhale enough air.
- Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath often occurs during everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even during less strenuous activities that we normally do without problems.
- Wheezing: wheezing or whistling when breathing can signal restricted airflow through the airways.
- Increased respiratory muscle tension: Individuals with emphysema often struggle to breathe, which can cause increased respiratory muscle tension.
- Cough: cough may be present, especially in the morning. The cough can be dry or accompanied by the release of mucus.
- Feeling tired: Due to the increased effort of breathing and problems with air exchange in the lungs, individuals with emphysema may feel exhausted and tired.
- Chest discomfort: some people with emphysema may experience chest discomfort or pain, especially during difficult breathing.
- Rapid breathing: Rapid breathing (tachypnea) may be present due to problems in transferring enough oxygen to the body.
- Weight loss: some individuals with severe emphysema may experience weight loss, which may be associated with feeding difficulties due to respiratory effort.
Symptoms of emphysema can vary depending on the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of each individual. If you have symptoms that indicate breathing problems or lung problems, it is important to consult a doctor. Early detection and appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
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