Emphysema Center - Alpharetta, GA
Alpharetta Pulmonologist Doctors for EmphysemaType of Physician: Pulmonologist What is a Pulmonologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on diseases of the lungs and airways. The pulmonologist diagnoses and treats pneumonia, cancer, asthma, occupational diseases, sleep disorders, emphysema, and other complex disorders of the lungs. Pulmonologists evaluate lung function, examine the bronchial airways, and prescribe and monitor mechanical ventilation. Many pulmonary disease experts are also expert in critical care. Specialty: Pulmonary Disease Common Name: Lung Doctor Pulmonologist Doctors in Alpharetta * Northpoint Pulmonary Associates PC  Northpoint Pulmonary Associates PC  Northpoint Pulmonary Associates PC  Southeastern Lung Care  Southeastern Lung Care  Southeastern Lung Care  Southeastern Lung Care  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta Pulmonary Group  Atlanta ENT, Sinus & Allergy Associates  Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta  Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta  Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta  Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta  Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta  Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta  Georgia Pulmonary & Critical Care Consultants LLC  Georgia Pulmonary & Critical Care Consultants LLC  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Cherokee Lung & Sleep Specialists PC  Medical Associates Of North Georgia  Atlantla Pulmonary Associates  Atlantla Pulmonary Associates  Atlanta VA Medical Center Pulmonology  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Georgia Lung Associates PC  The Emory Clinic Cystic Fibrosis Center  Piedmont Pulmonary  Piedmont Pulmonary  Piedmont Pulmonary  Piedmont Pulmonary  Southeastern Lung Care  Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists PC  Southeastern Lung Care  Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists PC  Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists PC  Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists PC  Southeastern Lung Care  Southeastern Lung Care  The Emory Clinic Pulmonary Medicine  The Emory Clinic Lung Transplant Center  The Emory Clinic Lung Transplant Center  The Emory Clinic Lung Transplant Center  The Emory Clinic Lung Transplant Center  The Emory Clinic Pulmonary Medicine  The Emory Clinic Lung Transplant Center  The Emory Clinic Pulmonary Medicine  Emory Clinic  The Emory Clinic Pulmonary Medicine  Atlanta Lung Specialists PC  Cobb Pulmonary Associates PC  Georgia Pulmonary Group  Georgia Pulmonary Group  Georgia Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Gwinnett Pulmonary Group  Emory Clinic  The Kimani Clinic PC  Emory Clinic  Emory Clinic  Advanced Health & Rehab Center  Faculty Physician Group Practice  Gerald Adler MD  Emory Clinic  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Georgia Lung Associates PC  Marietta Pulmonary Medicine  South Atlanta Pulmonary  South Atlanta Pulmonary  Lung Care Specialist of GA  Pulmonary Medicine Associates  Pulmonary Medicine Associates Alpharetta, GeorgiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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EmphysemaIntroduction to emphysemaThe lungs are a pair of organs in the chest that are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. The lung is composed of clusters of small air sacs (alveoli) divided by thin, elastic walls or membranes. Capillaries, the tiniest of blood vessels, run within these walls between the alveoli and allow blood and air to come near each other. The distance between the air in the lungs and the blood in the capillaries is very small, and allows molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide to transfer across the membranes. Air reaches the alveoli via the bronchial tree. The trachea splits into the right and left mainstem bronchi, which branch further into bronchioles and finally ends in the alveolar air sacs. When we breathe in, air enters the lung and the alveoli expand. Oxygen is transferred onto hemoglobin molecules in the red blood cells to be transported to the rest of the body for use. As oxygen attaches to the red blood cell, carbon dioxide, the waste product of metabolism, detaches and crosses into the alveoli to be exhaled. When we breathe out, the alveoli get squeezed by the elasticity in their walls and air is pushed out of the lungs.
What is emphysema?Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lung(s) and occurs when the alveolar walls are destroyed along with the capillary blood vessels that run within them. This lessens the total area within the lung where blood and air can come together, limiting the potential for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer. In early emphysema, there is associated inflammation of the small airways or bronchioles that limits the amount of air that can flow to the alveoli. In more severe emphysema, there is also loss of elasticity in the alveolar walls that have not been destroyed. When the patient breathes out, th... Recommended Reading Related to EmphysemaWhat Is Heart Failure?Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body or by becoming more stiff and thickened. This helps to keep the blood moving for a short while, but in time, the heart muscle walls weaken and are unable to pump as strongly. As a result, the kidneys often respond by causing the body to retain fluid (water) and sodium. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure is the term used to describe the condition. What Causes Heart Failure?Heart failure is caused b... Other Related Emphysema ArticlesEmergency Contact for Alpharetta
Nearby Alpharetta Hospitals *North Fulton Regional Hospital Emory Johns Creek Hospital Gwinnett Medical Center Duluth Glancy Rehabilitation Center Peachford Behavioral Health System of Atlanta Northside Hospital Forsyth Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta Children's Healthcare at Scottish Rite Northside Hospital Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital Northside Hospital Cherokee Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Gwinnett Medical Center Atlanta VA Medical Center Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital Devereux Georgia Treatment Network Children's Healthcare at Egleston DeKalb Medical Center Emory University Hospital Emory Adventist Hospital Ridgeview Institute SummitRidge Center for Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine Piedmont Hospital Shepherd Center Hillside Hospital DeKalb Medical Laurel Heights Hospital Emory Eastside Medical Center Kindred Hospital Atlanta Emory University Hospital Midtown Select Specialty Hospital Atlanta Atlanta Medical Center Grady Health System Wellstar Cobb Hospital Georgia Regional Hospital at Atlanta DeKalb Medical Center at Hillandale Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Regency Hospital of South Atlanta South Fulton Medical Center Cartersville Medical Center Northeast Georgia Medical Center Rockdale Medical Center Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lanier Park Campus Anchor Hospital Wellstar Paulding Hospital Barrow Regional Medical Center Wellstar Douglas Hospital Southern Regional Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Emphysema by Our Doctors
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Congestive Heart Failure
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to meet the body's needs. A poor blood supply resulting from congestive heart failure may cause the body's organ systems to fail, leading to a weakened heart muscle and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissue. There are many diseases that can impair pumping efficiency and symptoms of congestive heart failure including fatigue, diminished exercise capacity, shortness of breath, and swelling. Treatments include lifestyle modifications, medications, heart transplant, and therapy.
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Pneumonia
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Angina
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Acute Bronchitis
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Chronic Cough
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Pulmonary Hypertension
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Chronic Bronchitis
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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
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Bronchiectasis
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Smoker's Lung: Pathology Photo Essay
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Heart Failure
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Chagas Disease
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Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
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Nicotine
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Asthma Complexities
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Lung Anatomy
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Secondhand Smoke
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Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
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