Emphysema Center - Sterling, VA
Sterling 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 Sterling * Pulmonary Physicians of Loudoun  Pulmonary Physicians of Loudoun  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Lansdowne Internal Medicine LLC  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  Vienna Family Medicine  Mahadevappa K Hunasikatti MD FCCP  Eyad Abu-Hamda MD  Inova Transplant Center  Inova Transplant Center  Inova Transplant Center  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Northern Virginia Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Emergency USA  Anil Verma MD  Annamma J Jacob MD  Francis R Sappington MD  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Pulmonary Associates  Advanced Pulmonary and Critical Care PC  Advanced Pulmonary and Critical Care PC  Advanced Pulmonary and Critical Care PC  Advanced Pulmonary and Critical Care PC  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  DiPinto & DeSouza MDs  Drs Clinton & Robinson  Drs Clinton & Robinson  Virginia Pulmonary Associates PC  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  Pulmonary Associates of Fredericksburg  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  John Michaels MD Sterling, 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 Sterling
Nearby Sterling Hospitals *Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Reston Hospital Center Inova Fair Oaks Hospital North Spring Behavioral Healthcare Graydon Manor Behavioral Health Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Suburban Hospital National Institutes of Health Sibley Memorial Hospital Dominion Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Psychiatric Institute of Washington Prince William Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Holy Cross Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Walter Reed Army Medical Center The George Washington University Hospital Inova Alexandria Hospital Washington Adventist Hospital Howard University Hospital National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington Hospital Center Children's National Medical Center Washington DC VA Medical Center Providence Hospital The HSC Pediatric Center The Specialty Hospital of Washington Saint Elizabeth's Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Frederick Memorial Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center United Medical Center Laurel Regional Hospital Potomac Hospital Doctors Community Hospital Jefferson Memorial Hospital Howard County General Hospital Fort Washington Hospital Fauquier Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Springfield Hospital 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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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
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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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