10 Unnerving Indications You're Dancing with Emphysema

5. Wheezing

Wheezing describes when an individual produces an abnormal high-pitched or whistling noise during the process of breathing. This sound is most prevalent when they are exhaling. This abnormal sound is caused by inflammation of an individual's airways, where they become swollen and narrowed. The altered movement of air through narrowed airways is the mechanical mechanism behind the high pitched whistling noise. An emphysema patient may experience wheezing when the air sacs in their lungs become weak and burst open. This tissue damage causes the immune system to respond to the site. The inflammatory process takes place in the lungs, producing swelling, increased blood flow, pain, and discomfort. The swelling and increased blood flow cause the neighboring lung tissues to become compressed, narrowing the individual's airways to the point where breathing causes wheezing.

6. Persistent Cough (Often with Phlegm): The Unshakeable Hack

That nagging cough you’ve dismissed as a "smoker's cough" or a lingering cold could be an unnerving early warning. In emphysema, damaged airways and air sacs struggle to clear mucus and irritants, triggering a chronic cough, often worse in the mornings and sometimes producing phlegm. This isn't just an annoyance; it's your lungs persistently signaling that their delicate tissues are under duress and fighting a losing battle against inflammation and damage. When a cough becomes your constant, unwelcome companion, it’s a clear indication to seek medical advice.