First off, what is emphysema? Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a series of lung ailments that make it difficult to breathe and become more aggravated as time passes.
Healthy Lung Function
Emphysema impacts the air sacs within your lungs. Typically, when healthy, these sacs are flexible or springy. When you inhale, the air sacs fill up with air, similar to a small balloon. When you exhale, the air sacs contract and the air is released.
Emphysema Lung Function
If you have emphysema, the walls amidst several of the lungs’ air sacs are deteriorated. Because of this, the air sacs are unable to maintain their shape and become droopy.
It’s also possible for the destruction to devastate the air sacs’ walls, which causes the number of air sacs in the lungs to decrease, however, the ones that do exist are larger. There should be several small ones, but if you have emphysema, you’ll have less and they’ll be bigger than they should be.
Because of this, it will be more difficult for you to breathe, which means your body will have to work harder in order to move oxygen in and carbon dioxide out of your body.
Symptoms of Emphysema
In the beginning, you may not experience any symptoms, or if you do experience symptoms, they may be mild. As the disease progresses, your symptoms will likely become harsher. Emphysema symptoms are as follows:
- Coughing or wheezing often
- A cough that triggers excess mucus
- Shortness of breath, particularly when being physically active
- A whistling or shrill sound when you breathe
- Tightness in your chest
Some people with emphysema experience respiratory infections like colds and the flu quite often. In some serious cases, emphysema may also cause the following:
- Weight loss
- Weakened lower muscles
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs
We Can Help
If you’d like to hire a lawyer to help you obtain the disability benefits you need, our attorneys at Dabdoub Law Firm are here to help. Our team is highly skilled in the field of disability insurance law and we’ve helped many other people in situations just like yours obtain the benefits they deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm with your case right away. Your health is nothing to take chances on. After all, you’re only awarded one body in this life—it’s up to you to take care of it.
Call Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 to speak with an attorney about your case.
