Overview

Emphysema destroys the lungs'  Alveoli or Air sacs. As the air sacs deteriorate and eventually burst, the surface area of the lung and the quantity of oxygen that can enter the bloodstream decrease. Breathing becomes more difficult as a result, particularly when exercising. Additionally, emphysema causes the lungs to become less elastic.

Emphysema is one of the two most prevalent diseases within the general category of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis is the other main condition associated with COPD. Since emphysema cannot be cured, treatment attempts to reduce symptoms and slow the disease's progression.

Causes

Emphysema is primarily caused by tobacco usage. Your chance of getting emphysema increases with the amount of smoking you do. This includes consuming cannabis.

Other possible causes of emphysema and risk factors for its development include:

• Exposure to lung irritants or excessive pollution chemical vapors

• Alpha-1 deficiency-related emphysema is an uncommon type of emphysema that can result from a genetic disorder known as alpha-1 deficiency.

• History of respiratory infections in children.

• Weakened immune system, particularly due to HIV.

• Uncommon conditions like Marfan syndrome.

Symptoms

Among the signs of emphysema are,

• Dyspnea when exerting oneself, and subsequently, in cases of advanced disease, breathlessness most of the time

• Vulnerability to infections of the chest

• Coughing up phlegm, exhaustion                

• Barrel-shaped chest (caused by the rib cage expanding to make room for the enlarged lungs)                                                                           

• Lack of oxygen causes cyanosis, which gives a blue tint to the skin.

Ayurvedic View

Shwasa roga- Due to nidana (causes) which aggravate vata and kapha dosha that takes sthana (settles) in pupusa (lungs), pranavaha srotas (respiratory passage) and leads to difficulty in breathing, this is emphysema. Ayurveda way of approach is to bring dosha back to prakruta awastha (balanced state), reduce further production of vikruta kapha (disease causing factor), make breathing easier by ayurvedic panchakarma treatment and help development of immunity in patient.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Nasya   Vamanam   Bashpa swedanam   Virechanam   Matra vasti   Kashaya Vasti   Virechanam   Urovasti

Naturopathic Treatments

Acupuncture   Manipulative therapies   Steam bath   Plantain leaf bath   Sun bath   Chromotherapy   Packs and compress   Clinical yoga   Pranayama