Emphysema Center - Lees Summit, MO
Lees Summit 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 Lees Summit * Metropolitan Pulmonary  Metropolitan Pulmonary  Metropolitan Pulmonary  Jackson County Pulmonary PC  Jackson County Pulmonary PC  Jackson County Pulmonary PC  Jackson County Pulmonary PC  Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic  Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic  Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic  Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic  Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic  Kansas City Pulmonary Clinic  Medical Group of Kansas City  Pulmonary Physicians Of Kansas City  Pulmonary Physicians Of Kansas City  Pulmonary Physicians Of Kansas City  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Midwest Pulmonary Consultants  Pulmonary Medicine Associates  Pulmonary Medicine Associates  Pulmonary Medicine Associates  Pulmonary Medicine Associates  Pulmonary Medicine Associates  K C Pulmonary Associates  Northland Chest Consultants  Northland Chest Consultants  Northland Chest Consultants  Northland Chest Consultants  Heartland Pulmonary & Critical Care  Heartland Pulmonary & Critical Care  Heartland Pulmonary & Critical Care  Hemant K Sheth MD FCCP  Midwest Heart and Vascular Lees Summit, MissouriUpcoming 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 Lees Summit
Nearby Lees Summit Hospitals *Saint Luke's East Lee's Summit Medical Center Truman Medical Center Lakewood Crittenton Children's Center Centerpoint Medical Center Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital St Mary's Medical Center Kindred Hospital Kansas City Research Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Western Missouri Research Psychiatric Center St Joseph Medical Center Research Belton Hospital Kansas City VA Medical Center Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute Doctor's Hospital Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital Saint Luke's Hospital Menorah Medical Center Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital Children's Mercy South Specialty Hospital of Mid America Saint Luke's South Hospital Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill University of Kansas Hospital & Medical Center Western Missouri Mental Health Center Rainbow Mental Health Facility Shawnee Mission Medical Center Cass Regional Medical Center Overland Park Regional Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Kansas City North Kansas City Hospital Olathe Medical Center Liberty Hospital Children's Mercy Northland Providence Medical Center Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Barry Road Campus Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital  Excelsior Springs Medical Center  Lafayette Regional Health Center  Ray County Memorial Hospital  Miami County Medical Center  Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Smithville Campus 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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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
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Marfan Syndrome
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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
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Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
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