Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, and emphysema falls under this category of diseases. Emphysema causes damage to the lungs by reducing their elasticity, making it difficult to exhale air. It may be hard to diagnose because other respiratory conditions have emphysema-like symptoms.
Shortness of Breath
One of the first symptoms of early emphysema is shortness of breath. It will generally be mild at first, and can be experienced with light exertion.
Cough
This if often referred to as a "smoker's cough." It can be a dry cough with no sputum production.
Wheezing
Emphysema can cause you to produce a wheezing sound due to the lack of proper lung function, usually occurring at the beginning of a breath.
Skin Color
The skin often takes on a bluish color, especially around the nails, due to the lack of oxygen.
Other Signs
Insomnia, irritability, fatigue and depression are some of the other symptoms that can accompany emphysema.
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