Because the lungs are not efficient in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide, the heart has to work harder and becomes damaged. The damage is irreversible, and death due to heart disease is often the result of emphysema. Treatment options include lung transplantation and lung reduction surgery, a new procedure during which the damaged portions of the patient's lungs are surgically removed. Efforts are underway in the medical community to decide upon a standard set of criteria for selection of candidates for lung reduction surgery, but most experts agree it should include a body plethysmography test to determine the amount of trapped gas in the lungs. Once thought to be a disease of the past, tuberculosis is increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S. due to the AIDS epidemic, spread of TB among the homeless, and drug resistance.
Tuberculosis is caused by an airborne germ called tubercle bacillus.
Anyone can breathe in TB germs, which are spread by coughing or sneezing from a person carrying the germ. Symptoms of TB are coughing often, feeling tired, an unexplained loss of appetite, and weight loss. Spitting up blood is a symptom of well-developed disease. TB is treated by medication. People at higher risk for developing TB are those with weakened immune defenses, such as those with HIV infection.