Gary Ansel Newlon
This page is dedicated for my Father who died of emphysema in 2005. It is also for anyone fighting this disease and for everyone to help prevent it from occuring. I will focus mainly on the disease here. For a tribute to my Father, look to my other pages in honor of him. It is very painful to watch anyone you love go thru this. The information here is not intended as a substitute for the expertise of medical professionals. You should consult with your Health care provider regarding any health issue.
Smoking is responsible for 82% of lung disease. My Father was a heavy chain smoker who continued to smoke even throughout his disease. There are other factors known to cause it, but this was the reason my Dad got sick. Some people are born with a lack of the protein that protects the lungs known as alpha 1-antitrypsin or AAT.  This is an inherited problem, which can be made worse by pollutants in the air and smoking.
  I have only included a little information here. For any questions you may have regarding this disease, please look to the links I have provided as a resource or consult a Doctor.
  The disease begins by destroying the air sacs in the lungs (the alveoli) which are located at the end of the Bronchioles. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide happen in the alveoli, which lose their elasticity as the disease progresses.  Air can become trapped, causing the chest to swell. This condition is known as 'barrel chest'.
  This damage is irreversible and causes the lungs to be able to carry less oxygen to the bloodstream, as the lungs lose their elasticity.  It becomes very difficult to breathe.(My father used a ventilator for several years.)  The disease progresses slowly over time for years. It usually isn't caught until the symptoms have become severe. It can also cause damage to the heart. 
  Some symptoms of Emphysema include; Shortness of breath that gets worse over time, fatigue and 'Barrel chest'.
  COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) includes Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema. COPD patients may also have asthma. Breathing is difficult due to swollen airways, excess mucus and damaged air sacs.  My Dad suffered frequent colds & bronchitis in addition to the Emphysema.
  The best way to prevent emphysema is to quit smoking. There is no cure for emphysema, but there are ways to manage it to live a full life.


 
LINKS:
www.emphysema.org

www.emphysema-symptoms.com

EFFORTS

The American Lung Association

National heart, lung and blood Institute

The American Cancer Society

For My Father
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