• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough with or without sputum production
• Wheezing
• Decreased ability to exercise

• Anxiety
• Unintentional weight loss
• Ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• Fatigue

A physical examination may show wheezing, decreased breath sounds, or prolonged exhalation (exhalation takes more than twice as long as inspiration). The chest may be barrel-shaped. There may be signs of chronically insufficient oxygen levels in the blood.

These tests help confirm the diagnosis:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Chest x-ray
• Arterial blood gases showing low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), and high levels of carbon dioxide ( respiratory acidosis )

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan
• Chest CT scan

Images

Quitting smoking

Emphysema

Smoking and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)

Spirometry

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)

Lungs

Respiratory system

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Emphysema Overview

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Emphysema Treatment

Review Date: 10/31/2005
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)