Analysis of Emphysema Disease - Research Paper Example

Topic Emphysema (An argumentative thesis) Emphysema is a long-term obstructive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In emphysema, the necessary lung tissues that support the physical shape and function of the lung are destroyed and this destruction around smaller airways, called bronchioles, makes these airways incapable to hold their shape properly when you exhale. In other words, it is a serious lung condition where the air sacs or alveoli, enlarge or over distend, losing their elasticity and part of their blood supply. The disease interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood stream. (Emphysema, 2009) It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Emphysema frequently presents with chronic bronchitis which is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the conducting airways, both small and large. Emphysema in combination with obstructed airways makes breathing increasingly difficult for the patient. (COPD, 2009) It is commonest among middle-aged and older men, those who suffer from bronchitis or asthma or live in air-polluted areas and heavy smokers. It also prevails in people with inherent defect. It is the most common cause of death from respiratory disease in the United States and ranks fourth in the most common cause of death overall. There are 1.8 million Americans infected with this disease which ranks fifteenth among chronic conditions that cause restrictions of activity. (American lung association, 2009) The treatment often slows or delays, but doesn't reverse the process. The damage caused by emphysema is irreversible, but if the victim stop smoking or move to a place where air pollution is minimal, the progress of the disease can be halted. Unfortunately, those who suffer from emphysema are prone to secondary respiratory infections and to heart disease. I am a firm believer that the treatment is essential for such a disease to halt or at least slow down so the patient can live peacefully or make his survival long-lasting. Cigarette smoking is by far the most dangerous reason that people develop emphysema, and it is also the most avoidable cause. First and foremost, it destroys the lung tissues and secondly causes inflammation and irritation of the airways that can worsen the disease. The smoke produced from cigarette smoke contains poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide which is very harmful. The immune cells of the lungs are also affected resulting is less effectiveness of fighting bacteria or clearing the lungs. Emphysema is aggravated by smoking but is sometimes alleviated by taking sensibly graded and moderate exercise. However, exercise will not cure the condition. (Ferguson, 2009) Other risk factors include a deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-1-antitrypsin, air pollution, and airway reactivity such as bronchial asthma, heredity (close family relatives with emphysema), male sex, and older age. The most common symptom of emphysema is the shortness of breath. Cough, sometimes caused by the production of mucus resulting in heavy saliva, and wheezing may also be symptoms of emphysema. The patients of emphysema may notice that their tolerance for exercise decreases over time and they happen to get tired very quickly. Emphysema usually develops slowly. You may not have any acute episodes of shortness of breath. Slow deterioration is the rule, and it may go unnoticed but it is definitely not something to ignore. This is especially the case if you are a smoker or have other medical problems that limit your ability to exercise. (Rogers. B. ABC's of Human Body Page number 210) So whenever these symptoms come into notice, one should immediately go and see a doctor for treatment without any further delay. Emphysema, if widespread, will cause very serious limitation in physical activity. Many cases, however, are compatible with long survival. Complications of severe emphysema include right heart failure, respiratory acidosis, and rupture of bullae with development of pneumothorax. When talking to a family doctor who happens to come across emphysema patients on an almost daily basis stated that, treatment methods for emphysema do not cure or reverse the damage to the lungs. However, they may slow the progression of the disease, lessen the pain of the symptoms and help control possibly fatal complications. The first step in treatment for smokers is to quit, avoiding any further deterioration of breathing ability. Effective smoking cessation programs may be helpful. Consistent encouragement along with the help of health care professionals as well as family and friends can help increase the success rate of someone trying to quit. However, home oxygen therapy has shown an increase in the survival rate of patients with emphysema, improving the tolerance of exercise, functioning of the heart, brain and muscle coordination. It also decreases insomnia and headaches. A variety or combination of medications may be used in the treatment of emphysema. For some patients, surgical treatment may be the top option. Lung volume reduction surgery is a surgical procedure in which the most diseased parts of the lung are removed to enable the remaining lung and breathing muscles to work well. One other surgical procedure used for emphysema patients is called lung transplantation. One or both may be involved in the transplantation. However, it is a risky and expensive process, and donor organs may not be available. Lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema is evolving rapidly since its re-introduction in 1993. Lung transplantation remains a viable option for others with emphysema. And this exact same thing was told to my friend's grandfather who was a patient of emphysema for over two years. Despite of all medications and lung transplantation he could no longer survive for more than a year. Probably his old age alleviated the complications. He had inherited emphysema so it was probably running in the family. No surgery improved his condition and he had great difficulty breathing. All surgeries in vain, he died. If emphysema is detected early, its effects and progression of this deadly disease can be slowed, particularly if the patient stops smoking immediately. Complications of emphysema include higher risks for pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Overall, the prognosis for patients with emphysema is poor, with a survival rate for all those with COPD of four years, and even less for emphysema. However, individual cases vary and many patients can live much longer with supplemental oxygen and other treatment measures so it cannot be concluded that emphysema is a non-curable disease. (Bruce ML, 2007) Let's take the cases of some patients diagnosed with emphysema. A 17-year old Saudi male patient with a known case of bronchial asthma from early childhood shows no previous history of pulmonary tuberculosis or anti-tuberculosis treatment nor any recent trauma or surgery. He has not been a smoker and denies any illicit drug usage. There was extensive subcutaneous emphysema involving bilateral upper chest, neck and auxiliary regions The patient was admitted and was vigorously treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, inhalation bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, high-flow oxygen and other supportive measures. He showed progressive improvement and was shifted to cardiothoracic care, and follow-up at 2 months revealed an asymptomatic individual. This shows that the disease is curable. I will quote another example of Harry is his narration, "COPD is not a death sentence." These are the words of the late Bill Horden, COPD patient advocate and writer.My life changed, I went from an independent, energetic newspaper editor with a bright future to a disabled, chronically ill patient, who had to rely on oxygen at night and medications by day to breathe more easily. I fell into deep depression. Today my lifestyle does not revolve around my illness. I have adjusted to the fact that I have physical limitations and spend my precious energy wisely doing the things that are important and meaningful to me. I am grateful for what I can do-even on the days when I must slow down and rest because my breathing is more laboured than usual. My pulmonary function tests are almost the same as when I was first diagnosed 4 years ago. I attribute that gift to staying physically, mentally, and socially active and to staying connected to others who suffer from COPD. Larry is a 55 year old male who was diagnosed with emphysema in 2000. In 2002 he was put on supplemental oxygen.Let's hear his story is his words. Being very fond of fishing, I still fish. I am doing things in a different way now than before in that I now enjoy FISHING and not COMPETING. The only competition now is with me. I do help my son and his friends prepare for tournaments by going with them and trying to find fish for them. There is a message here for all of us with COPD and that is we can still do many of the things we used to do. We can still enjoy things we used to. By adjusting the ways we do things, we can continue doing ALMOST anything we wish to. Slow down, pace yourself, take your meds, keep a positive attitude, and you could be amazed what it will do for you. Another patient, Hilton, was also diagnosed for emphysema. The main cause was smoking which he quit and saw a drastic change. He finally took back control of his life and spends time with his family reconstructing his life. Another benefit was he could walk 3 miles at night which was unthinkable for him first. His wrinkles started disappearing and his skin looks better. He feels physically stronger, mentally sharper and more focused. The freedom he gained was absolutely boundless. In conclusion he says his one-year milestone is: One year, 15 minutes and 1 second. 7300 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,825.05. Life saved: 3 weeks, 4 days, 8 hours, 20 minutes. When talking in cultural context, healing therapies and treatments should be always be encouraged despite of any social and cultural boundaries because it is the need of time. Unnecessary delay in treatment can have very deleterious effects on the patient's health. The society should acknowledge the importance of the concept of 'culture' Acknowledge that different groups 'see' and 'co' health differently and use alternative healing practices and remedies. And give alternative health and healing practices equal value and respect. It is important to recognise that the context and place of healing is important and that a healer goes with traditional practices. We must realize that medical practitioners are healers too. Recognise that one of the arts of medical practice is to bring modern practical therapeutics alongside traditional healing practices. It is to ensure that therapeutic regimens 'start with people as they are and a community as it is'. Remember that what works for people is important and that varies from person to person. A research conducted on bio-psycho-social model was to define the meaning of behaviour for those who behave risky and to locate their lifestyle in social and cultural context. Health promotion involves individuals, families and communities in maintaining the health and coping with the ill and creates inter sect oral cooperation for health at the society level. (J Health Care Poor Underserved. Author manuscript; PMC 2007 December 31) So, healing practices and therapies are the greatest need in the field medical science to avoid major epidemics like emphysema. Outbreak of emphysema can be prevented by taking medications as prescribed and seeking medical care for any signs or symptoms of respiratory infection or shortness of breath. Also, if you have emphysema, you should keep current on vaccines that can prevent respiratory infection. It is important to obtain the pneumococcal vaccine every 5 years and the influenza virus vaccine every year, before flu season. (Alexandra Columbus. Advances in Psychology Research Volume 45) The study suggests the need for a multi-sect oral health communication program that is culturally appropriate to increase awareness of OPC. Culturally appropriate messages that present the facts about oral cancer (i.e., definition, risk factors, signs, and symptoms); acknowledge the various cultural, social, and economic barriers to appropriate care; and emphasize early detection and prevention may help to reduce the morbidity of this disease among this population, which remains at high risk. If you have emphysema, follow-up care is crucial to managing this disease. You need to become a partner with your doctor in the management of your health. As Benjamin Franklin wrote, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Realistically, the "cures" available to doctors and people dealing with emphysema are far worse and far less effective than preventing the progression of the disease in the first place. Works cited list Augmentation therapy in emphysema patient with ZZ -1-antitrypsin deficiency Caroline S. Sandstrm, Eeva Piitulainen, Sabina Janciauskiene Respiratory Medicine CME 2008 (Vol. 1, Issue 2, Pages 153-157) Emphysema. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspxc=dvLUK9O0E&b=2060053&content_id={39330D56-C0E9-4D08-B98F-18EA7B3C410B}oc=1. Accessed March 4, 2009. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fact sheet. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspxc=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058829&content_id={EE451F66-996B-4C23-874D-BF66586196FF}oc=1. Accessed March 4, 2009. What is COPD National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html. Accessed March 4, 2009. Celli BR. Update on the management of COPD. CHEST. 2008; 133:1451. Bruce ML, et al. COPD: Your role in early detection. The Nurse Practitioner Journal. 2007; 32:25. Ferguson GT et al, Management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Medical Communications Resources, Inc. Accessed March 20, 2009. Read More