Emphysema

Overview

Emphysema is a progressive lung disease in which the tiny air sacs of the lungs, referred to as alveoli, start to break down and become enlarged. As this occurs, so does the gradual destruction of the alveoli walls and a loss of the arteries that supply the lungs. This leads to a reduction in the size of the lung area where gases are exchanged, an essential part of the breathing process. This, in turn, causes a reduction in available air supply for the rest of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. In addition to a lack of oxygen, the body must also deal with an influx of excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. The lung tissue itself starts to harden and become painful.

Caution: Emphysema is a serious respiratory disorder and requires medical attention. Left untreated, it can become fatal or contribute to lung cancer.

Symptoms of Emphysema

One of the most common signs of emphysema is visible breathlessness that can occur during or after simple tasks such as walking down the hall or even talking. Other typical signs of emphysema include, wheezing, spasmodic coughing episodes, a frequent need to discharge mucus, and in rare cases cyanosis, a condition in which the skin starts to appear light blue. Many people with emphysema develop a deformed chest as a result of the solidifying occurring within the lungs. Without proper treatment, emphysema sufferers can die of suffocation.

Causes of Emphysema

The primary causes of emphysema are cigarette smoking and toxins in the environment.

Cigarette Smoking: Smoking cigarettes and exposure to second-hand smoke can dramatically increase the risk of emphysema, and many other health conditions, such as heart disease and cancer. Moreover, the risk of developing emphysema as a result of smoking is directly related to the amount of cigarettes an individual smokes daily, as well as the length of time he or she has been a smoker. The following are some of the most serious health consequences caused by tobacco smoke:

According to researchers, each time you smoke a cigarette, you reduce your life by approximately 8 minutes. Lifetime smokers can expect to shorten their life by as much as 12-16 years.

Smoking just one cigarette can increase your heart rate by as much as 25 beats per minute, therefore considerably increasing the risk of high blood pressure.

Cigarette smoking significantly depletes your body’s ascorbic acid supply. Ascorbic acid, which cannot be manufactured by the body and therefore must be consumed each day through diet and nutritional supplements, is an essential part of your body’s overall well-being. Lack of ascorbic acid can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as other respiratory conditions, such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

It takes the body’s circulatory system approximately 6 hours to return to normal after a cigarette is smoked because cigarettes dramatically raise carbon monoxide levels in the bloodstream, diminishing general oxygen levels.

Each time a cigarette is smoked, the body’s immune system is critically suppressed. After quitting smoking , the body doesn’t begin to fully heal until after 3 months, and will take years to counteract all the direct and indirect effects of smoking.

At least 4,000 toxic substances are contained in cigarettes.

Non-smokers, who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke, have been found to face the same health hazards as regular smokers.

Environmental Toxins: Toxins in the environment are one of the major causes of emphysema. Exposure to asbestos and cadmium (which are contained in cigarettes and smoke) also greatly increase your risk of developing emphysema.

Other causes of emphysema include genetics, gastric ulcers, and pre-existing respiratory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Poor diet, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies may also increase the risk of emphysema, or exacerbate the symptoms.

Natural Cures

Be aware: The following therapies and self-care approaches can significantly reduce emphysema signs and symptoms over time, however they will not help if you continue to smoke and/or be exposed to secondhand smoke.

Aromatherapy: Inhaling the steamed vapors from the essential oils of eucalyptus and pinus radiata can help reduce symptoms of emphysema, as can massaging the essential oils of cedarwood, eucalyptus, or peppermint into the chest a couple of times each day.

Ayurvedic Medicine: To help ease emphysema symptoms, Ayurvedic physicians recommend boiling 2-3 cloves of raw, natural garlic in water. When the cloves become tender, crush them, and increase the water temperature until they become dissolved. After the water has cooled, drink the entirety of the mixture to help relieve heart problems and breathing difficulties.

Diet: If you suffer from emphysema, you must be screened for food allergies and sensitivities, and avoid eating those foods you are allergic to. In addition, avoid all sugar, whole wheat products, soya products, soft drinks, commercially prepared foods, and all foods containing chemical elements, such as dyes, flavor additives, and preservatives (BHA, BHT, sodium nitrite, sulfites, saccharin, aspartame, and cyclamates, to name a few). Also reduce your intake of whole milk and dairy products, caffeinated beverages, red meat, sodium, refined carbohydrates (white breads, pastries, pastas), corn, chocolate, and unhealthy fats. (Hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated as well as trans-fats).

Drink plenty of pure, filtered water (At least 1 8oz. glass every 2 hours). For best results, add fresh squeezed lemon juice and cayenne pepper, ensuring to brush your teeth afterwards so the acid from the citrus does not sit on the teeth. In addition, enjoy freshly made organic vegetable juices during the day, as well as warm broths and soups. Watered down organic pear juice may loosen up lung congestion. As part of your daily diet plan, emphasize organic, whole foods, particularly clean, raw natural fruits and vegetables, soaked seeds and nuts, and organic free-range meats and poultry, and wild-caught fish. Garlic, cayenne, peppers, horseradish, mustard, and onions should also all be consumed regularly, because of the powerful health benefits they provide for the lungs and respiratory system. Organic, extra-virgin olive oil can be used liberally for cooking and as a sauce. Organic grapes and fresh grape juice can be effective, as well.

Herbs: Helpful herbs for managing emphysema symptoms include coltsfoot tea and thyme, both of which might help reduce the buildup of mucus within the lungs and respiratory tract. Peppermint tea can also be used for this purpose. Anise oil mixed with honey can be helpful when used before eating. Ephedra can help reduce severe coughing and bronchial spasms, while mullein can help eliminate fluid buildup in the lung area associated with an infection. Other helpful herbs are comfrey, fennel seed, fenugreek, licorice extract, red poppy flowers, rosehips, rosemary, slippery elm, violet, and whitened horehound.

Homeopathy: The homeopathic remedies Aspidosperma and Carbo vegetabilis can help to ease symptoms of emphysema.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of using water, ice, steam and alternating hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Remedies include full body emersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and day spas use hydrotherapy as part of their treatment. We recommend several at-home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these types of procedures to make sure they are right for you.

-Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions and recommendations.

Liquid Therapy: The following juice combinations can be helpful for relieving symptoms: Carrot, celery, potatoes, green spinach, wheatgrass, watercress, and one garlic clove; barley liquid with one garlic clove; and the combined fruit juices of grapes, oranges, lemons, and black cherries.

Improving Indoor Air Quality: Improving the quality of your indoor atmosphere, both at home and at work is an essential step for treating emphysema. A healthy environment is comfortable, free of pollutants and smells, has a relative humidity between 35-60%, and is high in oxygen and negative ions. Modern electronics make it easy to ensure that your indoor air meets the above criteria. A negative ion generator can not only increase the oxygen and negative ion content of indoor air, but it can also cleanse the air of harmful animal dander, bacteria, dust, mold, plant pollen, and viruses. Moreover, negative ions help to soothe and repair the damaged mucosa of the nasal, lung, and bronchial pathways. For the best results, choose a self-regulating negative ion electrical generator that emits at least one trillion negative ions per second.

You should also use a humidifier to keep your indoor air damp, especially during winter months when air is commonly drier. Choose a warm water unit. Adding plants to your home or work environments may also help keep air moist. Certain plants such as chrysanthemums, and philodendron, can also help to keep your air free of circulating dirt and microorganisms, since they act as natural air filters.

*Make sure that your home and work environments are correctly ventilated, and steer clear of the use of man-made materials such as plastics.

Lifestyle: Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and excessively cold or dry air. If you smoke cigarettes, seek help and quit. (See Addictions for more information.) Try to engage in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3-5 times every week. Stretching and strength exercises are important, and help ensure that your muscles are protected. Sleep is an essential part of good health, go to bed at the same time every night and make sure you are getting plenty of rest.

Nutritional Supplements: Useful nutrition for emphysema includes vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, chlorophyll, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), folate, lecithin, and also the amino acids L-cysteine, L-methionine, and L-glutathione.

*It is essential that you quit smoking cigarettes if you have emphysema.

Alternative Professional Care

The following therapies may also help to prevent and relieve emphysema: Acupressure, traditional Chinese medicine, Biofeedback Training and Neurotherapy, Bodywork (Reflexology, Rofling, Shiatsu), Chelation Therapy, Energy Treatments, Guided Symbolism, Magnet Treatment, Mind or Body Treatments, Naturopathic Treatments, Osteopathic Medicine, Qigong, Tai Chi, traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yoga. (Please see Glossary for additional information about these Alternative Therapies).