Overcoming Addiction: A Personal Journey Through Emphysema

I finally quit smoking after 30 years, after my doctor told me that I wouldn’t see my kids graduate if I continued to smoke. Initially, it was torture for me. I would often have headaches and nausea, which resulted in me being irritable all the time. However, after a few months, those symptoms disappeared. I thought that for once, I finally got past my dark history of smoking. However, there were a few symptoms that still lingered. I had a cough that just wouldn’t go away, my lips would turn blue whenever I exercised, and I had excruciating shortness of breath. I thought that these were symptoms of smoking that would eventually go away but they lingered on for months after I quit. Eventually, I saw a doctor and he diagnosed me with COPD, or emphysema.

He explained to me that my emphysema was a direct cause of my prolonged smoking. Although, it can be caused by the lack of an inherited protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, which protects the elastic structures (alveoli) in the lungs. He also said that air pollution, manufacturing fumes, and second hand smoke could have an impact but my history of smoking was most likely to blame. In order to have full comprehension of my disease, I asked my doctor to elaborate on the anatomy of the lung

and how this happened.
He described the fact that cigarette smoke can disrupt the sweeping action of cilia, which are tiny hairs that line the airways. Due to my prolonged smoking, the cilia were most likely destroyed and removed from the cells lining my airways. Without these cilia, mucous secretions cannot be cleansed (which are already heightened due to my smoking). Unfortunately, this mucous provides rich nutrition to bacteria and infections housed in my lung. Smoking also damages the immune cells and as result they cannot fight these infections as effectively as they could. As a last resort, the immune cells call for inflammation, which leads to the release of destructive enzymes called trypsin. These enzymes eventually eradicate the proteins that are responsible for keeping the alveoli elastic and destroy the tissues separating the alveoli. As the alveoli get damaged, the amount of surface area available for gas exchange is decreased. As a result, lung functionality is lowered, which explains the shortness of breath and the chronic coughing. He also explained the impact of alpha-1-antitrypsin, which fights the trypsin enzyme. In people affected by alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, they are unable to fight the destructive effects of trypsin. Over time, this leads to lung damage characteristic to that of a smoker’s. Finally, as lung tissue is destroyed, lung function is impeded.
There are multiple treatments available and I still have to make my choice. My doctor recommended bronchodilators, which can make the air passages of the lungs open more fully and as result, allow for better air exchange. My doctor also recommended steroid medications, which can decrease the inflammation of the lungs. He also said that if my shortness of breath still continued, he would prescribe antibiotics, which can help alleviate shortness of breath even if there is no infection or bacteria present. Although my emphysema is not overly severe, surgery can also be an option. Lung volume reduction surgery entails the removal of damaged lung tissue, which results in the expansion of the remaining lung tissue and as a result, the lung tissue can work more efficiently and alleviate symptoms. If my emphysema does not improve with medication or the volume reducing surgery, a lung transplant will have to be required. This is a last resort option and there are also many risks associated with a transplant.
My emphysema is not a death sentence but it will certainly impact my quality of life.

There is currently no cure but there are effective lifestyle changes that can be implemented to slow the progression of my disease. I will have to avoid respiratory irritants such as fumes, cooking odors, and certain fumes. It is also imperative for me to exercise regularly, despite my symptoms. I will also have to make sure to protect myself from cold air, which can cause spasms of the bronchial passages, and prevent respiratory infections by getting an annual flu shot and practicing sanitary procedures such as washing my hands and wearing a face mask if needed. I will make sure to follow all of these steps so that I will be able to see my kids

graduate.