Causes of Emphysema
When we inhale air, oxygen is absorbed from the air in our lungs and into the blood. This is achieved with the help from alveoli, which are tiny sacs that are found within the lungs. These sacs help to significantly increase the surface area of the lungs, allowing us to absorb more oxygen in each breath we take.
Emphysema is a condition in which these sacs become damaged and this, in turn, means our lungs are less effective at absorbing oxygen. This will result in the patient experiencing symptoms like being mentally slower than usual, extremities turning blue, and shortness of breath. There are a number of potential causes of emphysema.
1. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
In some cases, emphysema is caused by the deficiency of a protein known as alpha-1-antitrypsin. This protein helps to protect the structures in the lungs, mainly by preventing white blood cells from damaging the tissues. This means that the cells are more likely to become damaged, and this can lead to emphysema. The damage caused by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is likely to be worse than the damage from other causes, making emphysema likely.
Thankfully, it is a rare condition, with only around 1 in 100,000 people having it in the United States. People with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are also more likely to develop liver problems.
2. Tobacco Smoke
The dangers of smoking are now very well understood whereas, in the past, a lot of people were not aware of just how dangerous it really is. People now are smoking far less than they used to, and governments and health organizations are doing what they can to discourage it.
The smoke and tar from cigarettes can do a great deal of damage to the lungs, potentially leading to emphysema. People that smoke a lot are also more likely to develop other serious conditions like lung cancer. If you are a smoker then there’s a multitude of reasons to quit, and the sooner you do, the better.
3. Marijuana Smoke
Attitudes toward marijuana have been changing rapidly in recent years. This is largely down to a better understanding of its medicinal purposes, while there are also other reasons such as the amount of resources spent enforcing the laws. While there are plenty of positives, however, that does not mean to say that marijuana is completely safe.
The smoke from marijuana can be very damaging to our lungs and this can lead to emphysema. If you do use marijuana for medical reasons, the good news is that it can be taken orally and in other ways, so smoking it is not necessary.
4. Secondhand Smoke
We have already established that smoking is bad for you, but did you know that even being around other smokers can also lead to health problems? Secondhand smoke means inhaling the smoke from other peoples’ cigarettes, and this can also lead to problems like emphysema.
If you do smoke then it is a good idea to be courteous and try to keep to smoking away from other people. Not only can it be harmful to their health, but it also has an unpleasant odor to nonsmokers. It is especially important not to smoke in the presence of young children.
5. Dust
Dust is made from a wide range of substances, from soil particles, plant pollen, and even human skin cells. It is, thankfully, most harmless when inhaled, but that does not mean that we should be complacent about it. Inhaling large amounts of dust over a long period of time or being exposed to certain kinds of dust can lead to emphysema and other potentially serious medical problems.
Once the lungs are damaged even small amounts of dust around the home can exacerbate symptoms. This makes it a good idea to make sure there is not too much dust around the home. In some cases, it can be a good idea to install air filters that will help to remove the dust from the air that we breathe.
6. Chemicals
Everything around us is made from chemicals; even the water that you drink is itself a chemical. Many types of chemicals are completely harmless to us. Many are even beneficial. Relatively few chemicals, however, can be very dangerous to us indeed. Some will cause damage that builds up slowly over the years, while others can cause severe damage instantly.
People that work in factory settings and similar will often need to ensure they have appropriate protection from chemicals in their working environment. Masks and other equipment are very important, and you should also try and make sure the workplace has appropriate ventilation.
7. Pollution
In big cities, many people will be inhaling air that has been heavily polluted from factory emissions, exhaust from vehicles, and more. This air will often contain chemicals and particles that can be harmful to the lungs when we breathe it in. It can lead to severe health problems in some cases.
People that live in heavily polluted cities are more likely to develop emphysema than those that do not. If you do live in such a city, it may be a good idea to take precautions such as wearing a mask when you go out. Thankfully, efforts are being made worldwide to help reduce pollution emissions.
8. Cooking
In many parts of the world, people still use open fires to cook with, as opposed to the grills, hobs, and ovens that so many people use today. While this can be a very effective way of preparing food, it does come with some potential health risks.
One such risk is emphysema. If you are cooking on an open fire then it is a good idea to make sure the room is well-ventilated. Otherwise, smoke particles can accumulate in the air, and these particles might cause damage if they are inhaled. Open fires indoors also present the risk of oxygen depletion and carbon monoxide poisoning, so make sure that all precautions are taken.
9. Asbestos
Asbestos was once hailed as a miracle substance because of its fire-retardant properties, among other things. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that the tiny shards that asbestos can release into the air can be very damaging to our lungs. It is thought that there is a link between asbestos and emphysema.
The use of asbestos has been largely banned worldwide because of the danger it poses. However, there are still many buildings that were constructed before the ban, so asbestos is still fairly common. If you are in the construction business and/or you are planning on doing work on your home, you should call the experts to deal with asbestos if you think there is some in the property.
10. Age
Emphysema can affect people of all ages, especially people who are more exposed to environmental factors that can cause damage to the lungs. Still, the condition is more likely to develop in people that are older. Most people diagnosed with the condition are between 40 and 60 years old.
Perhaps the main reason for this is that the damage that leads to emphysema gradually builds up over time. Thus, people who are older are more likely to have acquired sufficient damage to develop emphysema. Regardless of your age, it is a good idea to try and avoid potential causes of the condition if you can.
