Emphysema and smoking

Smoking and emphysema

Shortness of breath is the first symptom of the debilitating disease emphysema. Smoking is the leading cause of this disease. Lung tissue, once damaged, does not grow back. Prospects for survival depend on how early the patient quits smoking.

LABELS:
Normal lung tissue
Diseased lung tissue

CHART DESCRIPTION:
Vertical axis shows lung capacity in liters of air, from 0 to 6, with less than 1 marked as “Death”
Vertical axis has the following markers:
At 4 liters: Out of breath with moderate exercise
At 2 liters: Breathless almost all the time
At 1 liter: On a ventilator, near death
Horizontal axis shows age of patient, from 20 to 80 years
– A chart line labeled “Normal decline” goes from 6 liters at age 20 to 4 liters at age 80
– A chart line labeled “Smoker” goes from 6 at 20 to 4 at 40, label changes to “Stopped smoking” and line becomes shallower, ending at about 2 at 80
– The last chart line labeled “Continued smoking” goes from 6 at 20 t0 less than one at 70, in the “Death” zone

Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd

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Acupressure for emphysema sufferers
Here are lists of acupressure points for Asthma, Breath control, Labored breathing, Bronchitis, Chest, Lungs, Pneumonia, Respiratory illness, Shortness of breath, Smoking cessation on PointFinder.org.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.

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