Emphysema Center - Bridgeport, CT
Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport * Robert B Brown MD  William B Fitzgerald MD  Anton N Chinniah MD  Associates in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine  Associates in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine  Associates in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine  Associates in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine of Fairfield County PC  Robert A Sheiman MD  Philip Simkovitz MD  Allergy & Pulmonary Specialists PC  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates PC  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates PC  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates PC  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates PC  Nitai I Riegler & Steven L Saunders MDs  Medical Group of Milford  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Carlos S Schweitzer MD  Pulmonary Specialties  Pulmonary Specialties  Madhu S Gowda MD  Respiratory & Internal Medicine Assoc  Norwalk Medical Group PC  Norwalk Medical Group PC  Norwalk Hospital Dept of Pulmonary Medicine  Norwalk Hospital Dept of Pulmonary Medicine  Norwalk Pulmonary Consultants  Norwalk Pulmonary Consultants  Norwalk Hospital Dept of Pulmonary Medicine  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Pulmonary Care PC  Jacob S Loke MD  Chapel Pulmonary & Critical Care  Pulmonary Care PC  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Pulmonary & Critical Care  Yale Occupational & Environmental Medicine  Pulmonary Associates of New Haven  Lung Associates of Connecticut  Pulmonary Associates of New Haven  Pulmonary Associates of New Haven  Pulmonary Associates of New Haven  Pulmonary Associates of New Haven  Soundview Medical Associates  Community Health Center  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  Danbury Hospital Pulmonary  CT Medical Group  Associated Pulmonologists Western Connecticut  Associated Pulmonologists Western Connecticut  Associated Pulmonologists Western Connecticut  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Franklin Medical Group PC  Franklin Medical Group PC  Waterbury Pulmonary  Waterbury Pulmonary  Waterbury Pulmonary  Waterbury Pulmonary  Waterbury Pulmonary  Jegathesan & Jegathesan MDs  A Michael Marino MD  Greenwich Medical Group  Pulmonary Associates  Giosa & Brown Pulmonary Associates  Giosa & Brown Pulmonary Associates  Richard A Smith MD  Pacifico Flores Jr. MD  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol Bridgeport, ConnecticutUpcoming 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 Bridgeport
Nearby Bridgeport Hospitals *Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center Bridgeport Hospital St Vincent's Medical Center Milford Hospital Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services Griffin Hospital Norwalk Hospital VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus Silver Hill Hospital Hospital of St Raphael Connecticut Mental Health Center Yale-New Haven Hospital Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital St Charles Hospital John T Mather Memorial Hospital Stony Brook University Medical Center Danbury Hospital Northport VA Medical Center Stamford Hospital St Catherine of Siena Medical Center Four Winds Hospital Huntington Hospital Greenwich Hospital Gaylord Hospital Masonic Healthcare Center Pilgrim Psychiatric Center St Mary's Hospital Waterbury Hospital Northern Westchester Hospital Center Putnam Hospital Center Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center New Milford Hospital Rye Hospital Center Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center St Vincent's Hospital Westchester Syosset Hospital Glen Cove Hospital The Hospital of Central Connecticut Bradley Campus New York Presbyterian Westchester Southside Hospital The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital White Plains Hospital Center Peconic Bay Medical Center Plainview Hospital Blythedale Children's Hospital MidState Medical Center Maria Fareri Children's Hospital Westchester Medical Center Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center Stony Lodge Hospital New Island Hospital 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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Related Diseases & Conditions
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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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Polycythemia (High Red Blood Cell Count)
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
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Pulmonary Hypertension
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Chronic Bronchitis
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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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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
- Secondhand smoke can cause illness and disease in nonsmokers. Some of these conditions include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, SIDS, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Learn how you can protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure in the home environment and workplace.
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Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
- If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia. Avoiding cigarette smoking, practice good hygeine, stay away from crowds, and alerting your healthcare provider if you have a sinus infection or cold or cough that becomes worse. Treatment options depend upon the severity of the emphysema, bronchitis, or cold combination.
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