Emphysema: A loss of flexibility in the lungs
Emphysema is one type of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People with COPD may have emphysema,
chronic bronchitis, or most often, both.
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Emphysema means damage to tiny air sacs in the lungs
Over time, exposure to irritants, most commonly cigarette smoke, damages tiny air sacs—called alveoli—that are vital for breathing. The walls of these sacs lose flexibility, and may even break down entirely, causing emphysema. A person with emphysema may feel "out of breath" even after mild activity like walking.
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Reference
- What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html [Accessed June 1, 2010].
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.