Emphysema
Emphysema - Related Videos
01:23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
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2026
Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
05:48
Lung Fixation under Constant Pressure for Evaluation of Emphysema in Mice
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Cited by 4 •
2019
Presented here is a useful protocol for lung fixation that creates a stable condition for histological evaluate of lung specimens from a mouse model of emphysema. The main advantage of this model is that it can fix many lungs with the same constant pressure without lung collapse or deflation.
10:37
Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
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Cited by 38 •
2015
The goal of this protocol is to provide automated methods to quantify chronic lung pathologies in a murine model of COPD. The protocol includes exposing mice to cigarette smoke (CS), measuring pulmonary function, inflating the lungs, and using morphometry methods to measure emphysema and small airway remodeling in mice.
09:59
Respiratory Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
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2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Disorders of the respiratory system with a chief complaint of shortness of breath are among the most common reasons for both outpatient and inpatient evaluation. The most obvious visible clue to a respiratory problem will be whether the patient is displaying any signs of respiratory distress, such as fast respiratory rate and/or cyanosis. In a clinical situation, this will always require...
09:49
Measurement of the Pressure-volume Curve in Mouse Lungs
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Cited by 47 •
2015
Here we present a protocol to simply and reliably measure the lung pressure-volume curve in mice, showing that it is sufficiently sensitive to detect phenotypic parenchymal changes in two common lung pathologies, pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. This metric provides a means to quantify the lung’s structural changes with developing pathology.
FAQs
Elastic recoil normally helps the lungs and airways return toward their resting shape during exhalation. When emphysema damages alveolar walls and reduces this recoil, smaller airways are more likely to collapse as air leaves the lungs. The resulting air trapping makes subsequent breaths more difficult and helps explain why treatments that improve airflow can reduce symptoms.
Persistent exposure to cigarette smoke or other irritants can maintain inflammation in lung tissue. This inflammatory environment promotes protease-mediated destruction, in which proteases contribute to breakdown of structural tissue such as alveolar walls. As the supporting architecture becomes damaged, the lung loses functional gas-exchange surface and mechanical stability, worsening breathing impairment.
Inhaled bronchodilators primarily target airflow and symptom relief by helping the airways remain more open. Inhaled corticosteroids serve a different role and are reserved for selected patients according to their clinical profile. This distinction matters because pharmacologic treatment is not uniform; therapy is matched to the patient rather than applied identically to everyone.
The overview indicates that inhaled corticosteroids are considered according to a patient’s clinical profile rather than routinely prescribed for every person with emphysema. Their place in treatment therefore depends on individual circumstances and the broader management plan. This selective approach contrasts with the general focus on inhaled bronchodilators for improving airflow and reducing symptoms.
Smoking cessation addresses the continuing exposure that can promote inflammation and protease-mediated tissue destruction. It complements, rather than replaces, inhaled treatment by removing a major irritant associated with disease progression. Combining cessation with bronchodilator therapy, when appropriate, can support symptom management while reducing an ongoing factor that contributes to lung injury.
Pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen support provide nonpharmacological components of emphysema care. Rehabilitation can contribute to improved function, while oxygen support may be used as part of supportive management when appropriate. These measures broaden treatment beyond inhaled medicines and, together with symptom-directed pharmacology, can improve daily functioning and quality of life.