Emphysema

What is emphysema?

Emphysema Is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath.

The tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed in individuals with emphysema. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (pulmonary refers to the lungs).

Emphysema is called an obstructive lung disease because the destruction of lung tissue around smaller sacs, called alveoli, makes these air sacs unable to hold their functional shape upon exhalation.

Emphysema is most often caused by tobacco smoking and long-term exposure to air pollution.

Symptoms of emphysema

Symptoms of emphysema include:

A cough - with or without mucus
Fatigue
Many other respiratory infections
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that gets worse with mild activity
Trouble catching one's breath
Wheezing

Because the symptoms of emphysema develop slowly and can be mistaken for other ailments, some people may not know that they are sick.

How Salt Therapy can help with emphysema

Salt Therapy can help by removing any impurities within the respiratory system and killing any bacteria that may cause infection.

The salt also liquefies any build up of mucus allowing ease of expulsion.

This ensures the working areas in the lungs are fully functional, which is highly important for people with this condition as these areas may be very limited.

For example, a person with advanced emphysema may have around 40% functioning lung, this 60% decrease in lung capacity is detrimental on the breathing process therefore it is essential for the functioning 40% to work at its optimum ability.

Reducing inflammation combined with eliminating mucus in the lungs allows for an increased and more efficient oxygen exchange.

This therefore improves the function of the respiratory system.