Essay On Emphysema

Emphysema is a lung disorder that slowly deteriorates the air sacs known as alveoli in our lungs. Alveoli are tiny sacs located inside our lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to move between the lungs and blood stream (Study.com). When the Alveoli’s are damaged, this causes an individual to become increasingly short of breathe. When the inner walls of the air sacs located inside of our lungs becomes weaken, they eventually rupture creating one large air space instead of several small air spaces. When the inner walls of the air sac rupture, the amount of oxygen that reaches our bloodstream is reduced. When the alveoli is damaged and not working correctly, old air becomes trapped inside of the lungs when you exhale leaving no room for fresh air to enter (Mayo Clinic).
The leading cause of emphysema is cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking destroys lung tissue, which results in the obstruction of air flow, and it’s also causes inflammation and irritation of airways that can add to airflow obstruction (WebMD Boots). When people smoke cigarettes, the cells in the airway that are in charge of clearing mucus are
However, there are some ways the disorder can be treated or prevented from getting worse. The best way to prevent the disorder from progressing is to stop smoking if you are a smoker. When you quit smoking, the function of the lungs will improve to a certain extent. Another way to treat emphysema is by taking bronchodilating medications. These medications will help in opening the air passages more fully to allow better air exchange. In cases where the disorder is very bad, individuals may need oxygen to assist them in breathing (EMedicineHealth). Another way to treat emphysema is by using an inhaler. Inhalers deliver medication to the small airways in the lungs. Although inhalers only work short term, they help symptoms quickly such as shortness of breath and