Why does smoking cause emphysema

Your humble Question:  Why does smoking cause emphysema

My humble answer:  The best answer I have found so far to this question comes from this press release from the University of Iowa regarding a recent study that suggests a CT monitoring blood flow in the lungs can detect emphysema in the early stages: 

Although the underlying causes of emphysema are not well understood, smoking increases the risk of developing the disease.  The study suggests that some smokers have an abnormal response to inflammation in their lungs; instead of sending more blood to the inflamed areas to help repair the damage, blood flow is turned off and the inflamed areas deteriorate.

The cellular pathway that turns off blood flow is helpful when an area of the lung has become permanently blocked and cannot be rescued. In that case, the lung "optimizes gas exchange" and stops supplying the area with blood. However, lung inflammation caused by smoking can be resolved and resultant damage repaired by increased blood flow, which brings oxygen and helpful cellular components to the site of injury.

This study suggests that the ability to distinguish when

I think that's a pretty good explaination of why smoking causes emphysema. 

to turn off or when to ramp up blood flow is defective in some people -- probably due to genetic differences. If this genetic difference is coupled with smoking, which increases lung inflammation, that could increase the risk of developing emphysema.

 Facebook Twitter

read more...

Why does smoking cause emphysema

Your humble Question:  Why does smoking cause emphysema

My humble answer:  The best answer I have found so far to this question comes from this press release from the University of Iowa regarding a recent study that suggests a CT monitoring blood flow in the lungs can detect emphysema in the early stages: 

Although the underlying causes of emphysema are not well understood, smoking increases the risk of developing the disease.  The study suggests that some smokers have an abnormal response to inflammation in their lungs; instead of sending more blood to the inflamed areas to help repair the damage, blood flow is turned off and the inflamed areas deteriorate.

The cellular pathway that turns off blood flow is helpful when an area of the lung has become permanently blocked and cannot be rescued. In that case, the lung "optimizes gas exchange" and stops supplying the area with blood. However, lung inflammation caused by smoking can be resolved and resultant damage repaired by increased blood flow, which brings oxygen and helpful cellular components to the site of injury.

This study suggests that the ability to distinguish when

I think that's a pretty good explaination of why smoking causes emphysema. 

to turn off or when to ramp up blood flow is defective in some people -- probably due to genetic differences. If this genetic difference is coupled with smoking, which increases lung inflammation, that could increase the risk of developing emphysema.

 Facebook Twitter

read more...

Can humidifier cause fluid retention (edema)

Your question: I have noticed increased edema since being put on a bi-pap machine with moisture. I have a fluid restriction of 1 liter daily, but have not increased fluid intake. Could the distilled water that we put in the bi-pap machine each night contribute to fluid retention?


My humble answer: Good question

If you use a BiPAP without a humidifier your mouth and nose become dry and your lips crusty. So basically all the humidifier does is make up for this loss of oral and nasal humidity. So I wouldn't think this would have anything to do with fluid retention. However, it is fluid intake, and it is inhaled, and some may make it to the lungs, so it's possible this intake is overlooked by some physicians. Yet my humble opinion is this wouldn't be enough to "cause" a problem. If you perceive that it does, you should turn off the humidifier and call your physician. You should actually call your physician regardless, because he should know about any new "edema."
I will see if I can find any research or studies done in this regard and let you know what I come up with. Good luck. Rick.


Facebook
Twitter

read more...

Can humidifier cause fluid retention (edema)

Your question: I have noticed increased edema since being put on a bi-pap machine with moisture. I have a fluid restriction of 1 liter daily, but have not increased fluid intake. Could the distilled water that we put in the bi-pap machine each night contribute to fluid retention?


My humble answer: Good question

If you use a BiPAP without a humidifier your mouth and nose become dry and your lips crusty. So basically all the humidifier does is make up for this loss of oral and nasal humidity. So I wouldn't think this would have anything to do with fluid retention. However, it is fluid intake, and it is inhaled, and some may make it to the lungs, so it's possible this intake is overlooked by some physicians. Yet my humble opinion is this wouldn't be enough to "cause" a problem. If you perceive that it does, you should turn off the humidifier and call your physician. You should actually call your physician regardless, because he should know about any new "edema."
I will see if I can find any research or studies done in this regard and let you know what I come up with. Good luck. Rick.


Facebook
Twitter

read more...

COPD attack, no one around: what can you do?

A patient just asked me: "I have emphysema, and I was lucky that I was with a friend because I had bronchospasms so bad I couldn't talk, and I couldn't help myself. What can I do if this were to happen and no one was around?

My humble answer: The best thing for you to do is ask that same question to your doctor. Although, if I were your doctor, I'd make sure you always have a rescue inhaler on hand so you can at least try to use it. However, I think the best way of dealing with a situation like that is to not let it happen. I think your doctor will make sure you get put on a medicine like Advair or Symbicort and/or spiriva, all of which are proven to improve lung function. On these controller meds you should be able to prevent an attack as you described, and, if you do have an attack, it won't be as severe.

read more...

COPD attack, no one around: what can you do?

A patient just asked me: "I have emphysema, and I was lucky that I was with a friend because I had bronchospasms so bad I couldn't talk, and I couldn't help myself. What can I do if this were to happen and no one was around?

My humble answer: The best thing for you to do is ask that same question to your doctor. Although, if I were your doctor, I'd make sure you always have a rescue inhaler on hand so you can at least try to use it. However, I think the best way of dealing with a situation like that is to not let it happen. I think your doctor will make sure you get put on a medicine like Advair or Symbicort and/or spiriva, all of which are proven to improve lung function. On these controller meds you should be able to prevent an attack as you described, and, if you do have an attack, it won't be as severe.

read more...

Difficulty breathing through races? Why?

Every day at COPDConnection.com we get lots of asthma related questions. Below are some questions I thought my readers at the RT Cave would enjoy.

Your Question: my step son runs cross country but has a difficult time breathing through out his races we have tried zyrtec,claritin,cetirizine I know there is something that has to work but what.

Your Question:I can empathize with your stepson, because I've also been having a tough time with fall allergies, as I wrote about in my most recent post here. I find that even while new allergy medicines help, those pesky allergens still manage to find a way to cause problems.

The best thing to do is to discuss your concerns about your step son with his doctor (or have him do it if he's old enough). There are still other medicinal options available to you, as you can see in this post. Another option to discuss with your doctor is allergy testing and allergy shots, if you haven't done so already.

Obviously I can't diagnose your stepson, yet what you describe here makes me wonder if perhaps your step son might have exercise induced asthma or asthma in general. If this is the case, asthma preventative medicines might help.

At least these are some options to consider. Either way, you should definitely have a discussoin with his doctor, because there are options.

If you have any further questions email me, or Visit COPDConnection.com Q&A section.

read more...

Difficulty breathing through races? Why?

Every day at COPDConnection.com we get lots of asthma related questions. Below are some questions I thought my readers at the RT Cave would enjoy.

Your Question: my step son runs cross country but has a difficult time breathing through out his races we have tried zyrtec,claritin,cetirizine I know there is something that has to work but what.

Your Question:I can empathize with your stepson, because I've also been having a tough time with fall allergies, as I wrote about in my most recent post here. I find that even while new allergy medicines help, those pesky allergens still manage to find a way to cause problems.

The best thing to do is to discuss your concerns about your step son with his doctor (or have him do it if he's old enough). There are still other medicinal options available to you, as you can see in this post. Another option to discuss with your doctor is allergy testing and allergy shots, if you haven't done so already.

Obviously I can't diagnose your stepson, yet what you describe here makes me wonder if perhaps your step son might have exercise induced asthma or asthma in general. If this is the case, asthma preventative medicines might help.

At least these are some options to consider. Either way, you should definitely have a discussoin with his doctor, because there are options.

If you have any further questions email me, or Visit COPDConnection.com Q&A section.

read more...