Signs & Symptoms of Compensatory Emphysema

Emphysema is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is a lung disease that is frequently caused by smoking or breathing in excessive pollutants over time and causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and then to possibly collapse. Compensatory emphysema can result as a side effect of another lung disorder or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The symptoms remain the same.

Blue Skin or Nails

• A bluish tint to the skin or nails is a common symptom of emphysema as a result of the shortage of oxygen in the body. As the lungs are unable to properly pump oxygen through the body, the blood that the heart is pumping is less oxygenated than it should be. The rich oxygen content in blood is what gives it its reddish color and when the oxygen content is lowered, the color turns from red to blue. Bluish skin and nails means the body is very short on oxygen and the likely cause is emphysema.

Difficulty Breathing

• As the lungs become inflamed from emphysema, it becomes increasingly difficult to breathe. Emphysema is a gradual disease, so the breathing becomes more difficult over an extended period of time. Initially, it may become difficult to breathe following strenuous activity or exercise. As the condition worsens, the patient may not be able to breathe properly, even when at rest. In the advanced stages of the disease, oxygen masks and respiratory devices are frequently needed and a lung transplant may be advised.

Confusion

• As the lungs struggle more and more to get oxygen to the body, the brain receives less oxygen than it needs as well. As a result, brain cells can begin to die and this can result in mental confusion and a change in personality of the victim. Other mental problems, such as sleep difficulty, are also a common occurrence.