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Diagram of alveoli with emphysema. Emphysema is a respiratory disease of the lower respiratory tract. [7] It is commonly caused by tobacco smoking but some people are affected who have never smoked. [14] The presence of emphysema is a clear risk factor for lung cancer, made stronger in those who smoke. [20] Early symptoms of emphysema vary.
Signs and symptoms of spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema vary based on the cause, but it is often associated with swelling of the neck and chest pain, and may also involve sore throat, neck pain, difficulty swallowing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. [5] Chest X-rays may show air in the mediastinum, the middle of the chest cavity. [5]
A history of exposure to potential causes and evaluation of symptoms may help in revealing the cause the exacerbation, which helps in choosing the best treatment. A sputum culture can specify which strain is causing a bacterial AECB. [5] An early morning sample is preferred. [7] E-nose showed the ability to smell the cause of the exacerbation. [8]
Hyperinflation can also be seen on a chest X-ray as a flattening of the diaphragm. [citation needed] The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. COPD is a gradually progressive condition and usually only develops after about 20 pack-years of smoking. COPD may also be caused by breathing in other particles and gases. [citation needed]
The main symptom is usually severe central chest pain. Other symptoms include laboured breathing, voice distortion (as with helium) and subcutaneous emphysema, specifically affecting the face, neck, and chest. [4] Pneumomediastinum can also be characterized by the shortness of breath that is typical of a respiratory system problem.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. [8] GOLD 2024 defined COPD as a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnea or shortness of breath, cough, sputum production or exacerbations) due to abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis ...
A chest X-ray showing right sided (seen on the left of the picture) pulmonary contusion associated with rib fractures and subcutaneous emphysema. Chest X-ray is the most common method used for diagnosis, [37] and may be used to confirm a diagnosis already made using clinical signs. [20] Consolidated areas appear white on an X-ray film. [42]
Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is a collection of air outside of the normal air space of the pulmonary alveoli, found instead inside the connective tissue of the peribronchovascular sheaths, interlobular septa, and visceral pleura. (This supportive tissue is called the pulmonary interstitium.)