Emphysema Center - Thornton, CO
Thornton 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 Thornton * North Denver Pulmonary & Critical Care PC  North Denver Pulmonary & Critical Care PC  North Denver Pulmonary & Critical Care PC  North Denver Pulmonary & Critical Care PC  North Denver Pulmonary & Critical Care PC  David L Kelble MD  Colorado Sleep & Pulmonary PC  Colorado Pulmonary Associates PC  Colorado Pulmonary Associates PC  Colorado Pulmonary Associates PC  Colorado Pediatric Pulmonary Associates PC  Colorado Pulmonary Associates PC  Colorado Pulmonary Associates PC  Eric S Yaeger MD  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  Western Pulmonary Associates  Clear Creek Medical Group PC  Clear Creek Medical Group PC  Lawrence H Repsher MD  Rocky Mountain Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  Rocky Mountain Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Rock Creek  Rocky Mountain Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  Rocky Mountain Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine  Richard F O'Brien MD  University of Colorado Pulmonary & Critical Care  Robert E Benkert MD  David Badesch MD  University of Colorado Hospital Lung Center  University of Colorado Hospital Lung Center  University of Colorado Hospital Lung Center  University of Colorado Hospital Lung Center  Lisa L Dreiling MD  National Jewish Health South Denver  National Jewish Health South Denver  National Jewish Health South Denver  National Jewish Health South Denver  National Jewish Health South Denver  National Jewish Health South Denver  Pulmonary Specialists of Colorado PC  National Jewish Health South Denver  Critical Care & Pulmonary Consultants PC  Critical Care & Pulmonary Consultants PC  Critical Care & Pulmonary Consultants PC  Critical Care & Pulmonary Consultants PC Thornton, ColoradoUpcoming Local Events2012-06-01
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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 Thornton
Nearby Thornton Hospitals *North Suburban Medical Center North Valley Hospital St Anthony North Hospital Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital Kindred Hospital Denver Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Denver Exempla Lutheran Medical Center Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center Exempla West Pines Hospital Colorado Acute Hospital St Anthony Central Hospital National Jewish Medical and Research Center Denver Health Medical Center Denver VA Medical Center Rose Medical Center University of Colorado Hospital Denver Centennial Peaks Hospital Avista Adventist Hospital University of Colorado Hospital Aurora Anschutz Medical Campus Platte Valley Medical Center The Children's Hospital Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora North Campus Triumph Hospital Aurora Porter Adventist Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Denver South Craig Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora South Campus Swedish Medical Center Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan Boulder Community Foothills Hospital Boulder Community Hospital Littleton Adventist Hospital Centennial Medical Plaza Highlands Behavioral Health System Longmont United Hospital Parker Adventist Hospital Sky Ridge Medical 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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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
- Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
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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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Marfan Syndrome
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Pulmonary Hypertension
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Chronic Bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with production of sputum that lasts for at least three months, two years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis include cigarette smoking, inhaled irritants, and underlying disease processes (such as asthma, or congestive heart failure). Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Treatments include bronchodilators and steroids. Complications of chronic bronchitis include COPD and emphysema.
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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
- Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
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Bronchiectasis
- Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lung become damaged. Inflammation from infection or other causes destroys the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes. Bronchiectasis is a form of COPD (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). There are three primary types of bronchiectasis: 1) cylindrical bronchiectasis; 2) saccular bronchiectasis; and 3) cystic bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis may also be acquired or congenital. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis are recurrent cough and sputum production. There is no cure for bronchiectasis. Treatment is often geared toward controlling the symptoms of 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
- The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood is important, because as it builds up in the blood, headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually death may occur. The air we breathe in (inhalation) is warmed, humidified, and cleaned by the nose and the lungs.
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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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Congestive Heart Failure
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Medications
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Procedures & Tests
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Pictures, Images & Quizzes
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Doctor's & Expert's Views
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Health Features
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