Emphysema |
Symptoms of Emphysema |
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Common symptoms of emphysema include: |
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Unexplained weight loss
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Increased chest size (barrel chest) |
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Wheezing or laboured breathing or reduced breath sounds |
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A productive cough yielding large amounts of dark, thick phlegm or mucus |
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A lingering cough, often dismissed as smoker's cough |
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The changes
of emphysema also interfere with the passage of blood through the
small blood vessels of the lung. As interference grows, the heart
must work harder to pump blood. The heart may enlarge under the strain
and eventually give out. This type of heart failure is often an end
result of emphysema. |
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Other symptoms
of emphysema may be skipped breaths, insomnia or frequent nocturnal
waking, memory loss, morning headaches, impotence, nasal flaring,
blurred vision, increased breathing difficulty while lying down,
chronic fatigue, impaired concentration, atypical irritability or
loss of temper, excessive daytime sleepiness, and swelling of feet,
ankles, or legs. If any of these symptoms persist, consult a doctor. |
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Emphysema in lung tissue.
The walls between the alveoli have broken down, creating fewer alveoli. |
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Peter Scott - Team Leader
