Emphysema: A Comprehensive Overview of Causes and Treatments

This report delves into the intricacies of emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder characterized by the enlargement of air spaces in the lungs. The report highlights the role of irritants like cigarette smoke in triggering the condition and the subsequent inflammation that leads to the destruction of alveolar walls. It discusses the protective function of the anti-protease enzyme and how its activity is compromised in emphysema, leading to the progression of the disease. The report covers various treatment options, including bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory therapies, and mucolytic agents, with a specific focus on beta-2 agonists and their mechanism of action. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of nurses' understanding of the pathophysiology and pharmacology of emphysema to provide effective care and improve patients' quality of life. References to supporting research are also provided.

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ABSTRACT
Emphysema can be defined as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder that results in the
destruction of the elasticity of the lungs resulting in permanent air spaces enlargement and
affecting the alveolar walls largely. When the alveoli gets damaged, the old air in the alveoli get
no space for new fresh oxygen. Usually irritants from cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke or
pollutants may result in occurrence of the symptoms of the disorder (Steiger et al. 2017). This
causes shortness of breath. The anti protease enzyme protects the lungs from the action of
protease in normal condition. The irritant causes inflammation of the polymorphonuclear
leukocytes and alveolar macrophages resulting in secretion of proteases. The irritants reduce the
activity of the anti protease enzyme and therefore the protease gets the chance to affect the lungs
causing emphysema. Different types of medications can be used like the short acting
bronchodialators, long acting bronchodialators, long acting beta agonists, long-acting muscarinic
agonist, Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, Anti-inflammatory therapy, antibiotics, mucolytic agents,
Proton pump inhibitors and many others. One of the most important class of drug is the beta 2
agonist which mainly helps in dilation of the lungs by increasing of the cyclic adenosine
monophosphate pathway (Wysham et al. 2017). The patient can administer them by inhalation
mode. They can work within a short time of 15 minutes, and the effects will remain three to four
hours. Different types of side effects may include tremors, tachycardia, hypo- or hypertension as
well as hypokalemia. The nurses can develop a detailed knowledge about the pathophysiology of
the disorder so that they can understand the ways by which the irritants are affecting their
patients. In order to help the patients live better quality lives, the nurses can also develop good
knowledge about the pharmacology of the disorder and thus provide effective medication to
them.

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ABSTRACT
References:
Steiger, D., Filopei, J., Siddiqi, M., Yip, R., Yankelevitz, D. and Henschke, C., 2017. Evidence
Of Emphysema In A Cohort Of Participants Without Symptoms Undergoing Low Dose Chest
CT Screening For Lung Cancer. In C30. Lung Cancer Screening: Who, Why, Where, And How
Much (Pp. A5177-A5177). American Thoracic Society.
Wysham, N., Ekstrom, M., Mathews, A., Xie, J., Qin, X. and MacIntyre, N., 2017. Mechanisms
Of Hypercapnea In Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Secondary Analysis
Of The National Emphysema Treatment Trial. In C80-B. Multi-Modality Assessment Of Copd,
Asthma, And Asthma-Copd Overlap SYNDROME (pp. A6485-A6485). American Thoracic
Society.