Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which affects respiratory system.
In emphysema due to obstruction to terminal bronchioles air cannot escape out and gets trapped into the lungs which destroys alveoli due to inflammation of the airways and alveoli.
Causes include - Smoking, air pollution, dust, etc. Genetic causes inude alpha-1- antitrypsin deficiency.
Jason will have following signs and symptoms -
Symptoms-
Cough
Breathlessness
Wheezing
Signs-
Barrel shaped chest
Increased subcostal angle
Subcostal retractions
Pursed lip breathing
Vocal fremitus decreased
Vocal resonance decreased.
Investigations -radiograph shows tubular heart in case of emphysema.
Treatment include - bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and ultimate treatment is lung transplantation.
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