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What Causes Emphysema?
Question: I was recently diagnosed with background emphysema, and I'm a bit curious what that is. I've never smoked, nor worked around toxic fumes. I'm an umemployed medical transcriptionist, and I ride a bicycle 125 to 150 miles/ week. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
You should start inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Emphysema is radiological term. This means hyperinflation of lungs. It is common in smokers. But sometimes, age related emphysema is also seen.
In your case you are mostly having age related emphysema because you are nonsmoker and not having occupational exposure. Age more than 40 is an independent risk factor for emphysema. So in your case age is the reason for emphysema.
The most important part in treatment is PFT report. You said that your according to PFT report, lung age is 80 years. This means, you are having reduced lung functions and hence you need treatment in the form of inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
Emphysema is chronic, progressive disease. You can halt it's progression through inhaled bronchodilators, ICS, chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises.
So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
You should start inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Emphysema is radiological term. This means hyperinflation of lungs. It is common in smokers. But sometimes, age related emphysema is also seen.
In your case you are mostly having age related emphysema because you are nonsmoker and not having occupational exposure. Age more than 40 is an independent risk factor for emphysema. So in your case age is the reason for emphysema.
The most important part in treatment is PFT report. You said that your according to PFT report, lung age is 80 years. This means, you are having reduced lung functions and hence you need treatment in the form of inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
Emphysema is chronic, progressive disease. You can halt it's progression through inhaled bronchodilators, ICS, chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises.
So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I also had a serum level drawn for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and my level (123) was normal. However, the May clinic recommends further testing may be indicated if the level is below 125. What sort of a workup do I need to get evaluated for that? I'd heard of senile emphysema, but I thought that was only in people in their eighties. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
AIAT phenotyping and genotyping are required.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, alpha 1 anti trypsin (A1AT) deficiency can cause emphysema.
And tests required in this disease are
1. CT thorax
2. A1AT genotyping
3. A1AT phenotyping.
Screening of family members like brothers, sister's, children, parents etc is also needed as it is autosomal recessive disease.
So please let me, if any of your family members had emphysema at young age?
Have you undergone CT thorax?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
AIAT phenotyping and genotyping are required.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, alpha 1 anti trypsin (A1AT) deficiency can cause emphysema.
And tests required in this disease are
1. CT thorax
2. A1AT genotyping
3. A1AT phenotyping.
Screening of family members like brothers, sister's, children, parents etc is also needed as it is autosomal recessive disease.
So please let me, if any of your family members had emphysema at young age?
Have you undergone CT thorax?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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