Facts About Emphysema

Nearly two million Americans have emphysema.

Emphysema ranks 15th among chronic conditions that force people to limit their activities.

Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of emphysema.

(You will read this about smoking in most information on the disease. Because of junk science related to propaganda on smoking and the desire of business and government not to deal with dirty air that has nothing to do with smoking; the correlation is over simplified.

Also

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

People who a deficiency of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) are at a higher risk of developing severe emphysema. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) is an inherited condition and occurs in varying degrees.

AAT is thought to protect against some of the damage caused by macrophages. In AAT deficiency-related emphysema, the walls of the bronchial tubes and the alveoli are both damaged, often leading to severe disease.

Point, genetics plays a larger factor that many FAQ sheets suggest. About 2 out of every 1,000 people have an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

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Most people with emphysema are older men. As with lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases, however, the incidence of emphysema is increasing among women.

Emphysema doesn't develop suddenly. Instead, it comes on gradually, usually after years of exposure to cigarette smoke or some other inhaled irritant.

Typically, symptoms of emphysema appear only after 30 to 50 percent of lung tissue is lost.

Emphysema rates are highest for men age 65 and older.

More people in the Midwest have emphysema than in any other region in the country.

Emphysema is an irreversible disease that can be slowed but not reversed or stopped.

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Emphysema is commonly associated with bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Since it is difficult to delineate "pure" cases of emphysema or chronic bronchitis, they are generally grouped together as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Severe cases of A1AD may also develop cirrhosis of the liver, where the accumulated A1AT leads to a fibrotic reaction

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Emphysema is also treated by supporting the breathing with anticholinergics, bronchodilators, steroid medication (inhaled or oral), and supplemental oxygen as required. Treating the patient's other conditions including gastric reflux and allergies may improve lung function. Supplemental oxygen used as prescribed (usually more than 20 hours per day) is the only non-surgical treatment which has been shown to prolong life in emphysema patients. There are lightweight portable oxygen systems which allow patients increased mobility. Patients can fly, cruise, and work while using supplemental oxygen. Other medications are being researched.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) can improve the quality of life for certain carefully selected patients. It can be done by different methods, some of which are minimally invasive. In July 2006 a new treatment, placing tiny valves in passages leading to diseased lung areas, was announced to have good results, but 7% of patients suffered partial lung collapse. The only known "cure" for emphysema is lung transplant, but few patients are strong enough physically to survive the surgery. The combination of a patient's age, oxygen deprivation and the side-effects of the medications used to treat emphysema cause damage to the kidneys, heart and other organs. Transplants also require the patient to take an anti-rejection drug regime which suppresses the immune system, and so can lead to microbial infection of the patient.

Emphysema can be classified into two types: Primary and Secondary. Primary emphysema can be subdivided into panacinary and centroacinary. Panacinary emphysema is related to the destruction of alveoli, because of an inflammation or deficiency of alfa-1-antitrypsin. It is found more in young adults who do not have chronic bronchitis. Centroacinary emphysema is due to destruction of terminal bronchioli muchosis, due to chronic bronchitis. This is found mostly in elderly people with a long history of smoking.

A study published by the European Respiratory Journal suggests that tretinoin (an anti-acne drug commercially available as Accutane) derived from vitamin A can reverse the effects of emphysema in mice by returning elasticity (and regenerating lung tissue through gene mediation) to the alveoli.[4][5] While vitamin A consumption is not known to be an effective treatment or prevention for the disease, this research could in the future lead to a cure. A follow-up study done in 2006 found inconclusive results ("no definitive clinical benefits") using Vitamin A (retinoic acid) in treatment of emphysema in humans and stated that further research is needed to reach conclusions on this treatment.

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Subcutaneous emphysema

Subcutaneous emphysema, sometimes abbreviated SCE or SE and also called tissue emphysema, occurs when gas or air is present in the subcutaneous layer of the skin. Subcutaneous refers to the tissue beneath the cutis of the skin, and emphysema refers to trapped air. Since the air generally comes from the chest cavity, subcutaneous emphysema usually occurs on the chest, neck and face, where it is able to travel from the chest cavity along the fascia.[1] Subcutaneous emphysema has a characteristic crackling feel to the touch, a sensation that has been described as similar to touching Rice Krispies;[2] this sensation of air under the skin is known as subcutaneous crepitation.

Subcutaneous emphysema can result from puncture of parts of the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems. Particularly in the chest and neck, air may become trapped as a result of penetrating trauma (e.g., gunshot wounds or stab wounds) or blunt trauma. Infection (e.g., gas gangrene) can cause gas to be trapped in the subcutaneous tissues. Subcutaneous emphysema can be caused by medical procedures and medical conditions that cause the pressure in the alveoli of the lung to be higher than that in the tissues outside of them.[3] Its most common causes are pneumothorax and an improperly functioning chest tube. It can also occur spontaneously due to rupture of the alveoli, with dramatic signs.[4] When the condition is caused by surgery it is called surgical emphysema.[5] The term spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema is used when the cause is not clear.[4] Subcutaneous emphysema is not usually serious in and of itself, but the underlying causes, such as pneumothorax, can be.[6] Although the underlying conditions require treatment, subcutaneous emphysema usually does not; small amounts of air are reabsorbed by the body. However, subcutaneous emphysema can be uncomfortable and may interfere with breathing, and is often treated by removing air from the tissues, for example by using a chest tube.

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I mention but of course take with a grain of salt.

A noted psychic in the 1930's tied auto immune reactions to asthma and emphysema. He also suggested the lack of proper blood flood to the lungs at times may contribute to the problems. He connected this in part to diet and a needed adjustment to the back (depending on person receiving the reading.) He suggested back massages with olive oil to help reduce asthma and possible prevention of emphysema; though not as something that could reverse emphysema. He did suggest that anything that might improve blood flow might fight emphysema and even reverse lung damage.

I don't mention the psychic because I don't intend to foot note with reference. Just take with a grain of salt; skepticism.