Emphysema Center - Kokomo, IN
Kokomo 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 Kokomo * Marion Lung Center  Marion Lung Center  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Lung Care Group  Lung Care Group  Lung Care Group  Lung Care Group  Lung Care Group  Witham Pulmonary & Sleep Associates  Saiful Kabir MD  Saiful Kabir MD  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Medical Specialists Of Madison County PC  Medical Specialists Of Madison County PC  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Pike Medical Consultants  Pulmonary Associates  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Riley Hospital for Children Pulmonology  Michael F Busk MD  Praveen Mathur MD  Clarian Arnett Clinic Lafayette  Clarian Arnett Clinic Lafayette  Clarion Arnett Clinic Lafayette  Medical Consultants  Medical Consultants  Northeast Medical Group  Allergy & Asthma Center PC  SouthSide Pulmonary & Sleep Consultants  SouthSide Pulmonary & Sleep Consultants  Center For Respiratory & Sleep Medicine  Center For Respiratory & Sleep Medicine  Center For Respiratory & Sleep Medicine  Center For Respiratory & Sleep Medicine  Center For Respiratory & Sleep Medicine  Center For Respiratory & Sleep Medicine  St Clare Hospital  Caylor-Nickel Clinic  JMH Health Services  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Manuel Cervoni MD  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Indiana Medical Associates  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Indiana Medical Associates  Indiana Medical Associates  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Indiana Medical Associates  Yatin J Patel MD  Thomandram Sekar MD  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Elkhart Clinic LLC  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Gary B Fromm MD  Pulmonary Asthma & Allergy Consultants  Pulmonary Asthma & Allergy Consultants  La Porte Medical Group  Eileen E Cravens & Dana H Reihman MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  The Chest Clinic PC Kokomo, IndianaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Kokomo
Nearby Kokomo Hospitals *St Joseph Hospital Kokomo Howard Regional Health System West Campus Howard Regional Health System Main Campus Tipton Hospital Dukes Memorial Hospital St Vincent Mercy Hospital Logansport Memorial Hospital Logansport State Hospital Marion General Hospital St Vincent Frankfort Hospital VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Marion Campus Wabash County Hospital Riverview Hospital Community Hospital Anderson Witham Memorial Hospital St Vincent Carmel 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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