Emphysema Center - Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville * William R Hammond MD  Pulmonary Allergy Clinic  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  UVA Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  James A Long MD  RMH Center for Sleep Medicine  RMH Center for Sleep Medicine  Kwabena A Donkor MD  Carilion Medical Center Pediatric Specialty Clinic  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Richmond Inc  Pulmonary Associates of Richmond Inc  Pulmonary Associates of Richmond Inc  Drs Clinton & Robinson  Drs Clinton & Robinson  Teekah & Tompkins MDs  Teekah & Tompkins MDs  Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center  Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center  Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  VCU Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine  Winchester Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Assoc  Winchester Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Assoc  Winchester Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Assoc  Winchester Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Assoc  Winchester Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Assoc  Winchester Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Assoc  Bedford Pulmonary Medicine  Emergency USA  Virginia Pulmonary Associates PC  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Lansdowne Internal Medicine LLC Charlottesville, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Charlottesville
Nearby Charlottesville Hospitals *University of Virginia Children's Hospital University of Virginia Medical Center Martha Jefferson Hospital Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center Whisper Ridge Behavioral Health System UVA HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Augusta Medical Center Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Commonwealth Center for Children Western State Hospital Rockingham Memorial 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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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
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Secondhand Smoke
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