The Effects of Smoking on the Lungs: Emphysema

The Effects of Smoking on the Lungs: Emphysema

Many people believe that emphysema is a disease that only affects older people who smoke. Certainly, most symptomatic cases of emphysema are in older people, however the damage that eventually leads to symptomatic lung disease begins soon after starting smoking.
What is Emphysema? Emphysema, along with chronic bronchitis, is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To understand what is going wrong with the lungs in emphysema, it is helpful to understand how the lungs normally work.
Your lungs are made up of thousands of tiny little air sacs called alveoli.
When your lungs expand as you breathe in, these alveoli expand like tiny little latex balloons. Oxygen from the air passes through the walls of the alveoli and into the bloodstream.
Your diaphragm muscle contracts to expand the chest when you breathe in pulling air into the lungs, but when you breathe out, the natural elasticity of the lungs automatically push the air out of the alveoli without any muscular effort.
Think of a blown-up balloon. When you let go of it, all the air is expelled from it rather quickly and automatically due to the elasticity of the latex in the balloon.
In people with emphysema, the elastic tissue surrounding the alveoli is damaged, generally by cigarette smoke. The lungs are no longer able to expel the air automatically, and air gets "trapped" in the lungs.
Think of a balloon that has been blown up too many times. It's flabby and doesn't completely deflate when you let it go. This is essentially what the lungs of a person with emphysema are like.
People with emphysema tend to be "barrel chested" because they cannot breathe out as much air from their lungs as normal people.
Sometimes these enlarged alveoli will combine together to form larger sacs called blebs. These blebs can rupture, leading to much pain and sometimes a dangerous condition called a pneumothorax.
Emphysema also makes breathing difficult in another way. The damaged lining of the alveoli doesn't allow the oxygen to pass through to the blood stream as easily. Some people with emphysema require supplemental oxygen to keep their blood oxygen levels in the normal range.
People with emphysema often breathe out through pursed lips. This helps to apply air pressure back into the lungs while they are breathing out, inflating the alveoli more fully which allows more oxygen to pass into the bloodstream

The Effects of Smoking on the Lungs: Emphysema

The Effects of Smoking on the Lungs: Emphysema

Many people believe that emphysema is a disease that only affects older people who smoke. Certainly, most symptomatic cases of emphysema are in older people, however the damage that eventually leads to symptomatic lung disease begins soon after starting smoking.
What is Emphysema? Emphysema, along with chronic bronchitis, is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To understand what is going wrong with the lungs in emphysema, it is helpful to understand how the lungs normally work.
Your lungs are made up of thousands of tiny little air sacs called alveoli.
When your lungs expand as you breathe in, these alveoli expand like tiny little latex balloons. Oxygen from the air passes through the walls of the alveoli and into the bloodstream.
Your diaphragm muscle contracts to expand the chest when you breathe in pulling air into the lungs, but when you breathe out, the natural elasticity of the lungs automatically push the air out of the alveoli without any muscular effort.
Think of a blown-up balloon. When you let go of it, all the air is expelled from it rather quickly and automatically due to the elasticity of the latex in the balloon.
In people with emphysema, the elastic tissue surrounding the alveoli is damaged, generally by cigarette smoke. The lungs are no longer able to expel the air automatically, and air gets "trapped" in the lungs.
Think of a balloon that has been blown up too many times. It's flabby and doesn't completely deflate when you let it go. This is essentially what the lungs of a person with emphysema are like.
People with emphysema tend to be "barrel chested" because they cannot breathe out as much air from their lungs as normal people.
Sometimes these enlarged alveoli will combine together to form larger sacs called blebs. These blebs can rupture, leading to much pain and sometimes a dangerous condition called a pneumothorax.
Emphysema also makes breathing difficult in another way. The damaged lining of the alveoli doesn't allow the oxygen to pass through to the blood stream as easily. Some people with emphysema require supplemental oxygen to keep their blood oxygen levels in the normal range.
People with emphysema often breathe out through pursed lips. This helps to apply air pressure back into the lungs while they are breathing out, inflating the alveoli more fully which allows more oxygen to pass into the bloodstream

Kyphosis - Information on Curved Spine

Kyphosis - Information on Curved Spine

Kyphosis is a progressive spinal disorder which causes a curved spine, resulting in a "humpback" or "hunchback". It is a general disorder, which can be further defined into several subcategories, such as hyperkyphosis or sharp angular Gibbus Deformity.
Hyperkyphosis refers to an excessive curvature which exceeds the normal range. It is nearly always found in the thoracic portion of the spine, and is commonly caused by the effects of osteoporosis in adults. The effects of hyperkyphosis usually tend to result in a more gradual curvature.
Gibbus Deformity is a form of structural kyphosis, and is more pronounced than hyperkyphosis. In this condition, the posterior curve takes on a sharp angle. The angle may become more pronounced when bending forward.
Kyphosis can be separated into two main categories: postural and structural.
Postural
Postural kyphosis is normally a less-severe condition, and can usually be corrected easier. It is usually attributed to poor posture, or spine fractures caused by trauma or osteoporosis. Mild cases can normally be corrected by the patient, sometimes with the help of a brace.
Structural
Structural kyphosis is most often more severe, and may very well require medical intervention. This is an abnormality affecting the bones, intervertebral discs, nerves, ligaments, or muscles of the spine. The two most common forms of structural kyphosis are congenital and Scheuermann's Disease.
Congenital kyphosis is defined as a spinal curvature abnormality existing at birth.
Scheuermann's Disease is commonly described as juvenile kyphosis. It is usually noticed between the ages of 12 and 15. the cause of this disease is unknown, but some experts speculate that it may be familial. The normal definition of Scheuermann's Disease is an abnormal thoracic curvature which causes anterior vertebral wedging of at least 5° and involving at least 3 consecutive vertebrae.
Treatment
Mild to moderate postural kyphosis can usually be corrected through exercises or physical therapy. Strengthening the paravertebral muscles and making a conscious effort to correct poor posture commonly yields successful results.

Cataract Treatment and Prevention

Cataract Treatment and Prevention

Cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the lens of the eye. Cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. Cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Cataracts may be present at or shortly after birth. These are called congenital cataracts. Cataracts are classified of three types permary is nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.
Secondry is cortical cataract, which forms in the lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.Third is subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract. Congenital cataracts can also be caused by infections affecting the mother during pregnancy, such as rubella. They are also associated with metabolic disorders such as galactosemia. Congenital cataracts risk factors include is inherited metabolic diseases, a family history of cataracts, and maternal viral infection during pregnancy. Congenital cataracts may be inherited. The gene for such cataracts is dominant (autosomal dominant inheritance), which means that the defective gene will cause the condition even if only one parent passes it along.
Causes of Cataract
1.Injury or trauma.
2.Genetic factors (congenital cataracts).
3. Exposure to ultraviolet light.
4.Diet high in antioxidants beta-carotene (vitamin A).
5.Heavy alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of Cataract
1.Cloudy or blurry vision
2.Problems with light, including headlights that seem too bright.
3.Faded colors.
4.Poor night vision.
5.Frequent changes in prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Treatment of Cataract
The only treatment for cataract is surgery to remove it. Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries done each year. There are 2 types of surgery that can be used to remove lenses that have a cataract First is Extracapsular surgery consists of surgically removing the lens, but leaving the back half of the capsule (the outer covering of the lens) whole. High-frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) may be used to soften the lens to help removing it through a smaller cut second is Intracapsular surgery involves surgically removing the entire lens, including the capsule.