Evening star., 1963-04-25
STOP KILLING
YOURSELF
BY Dr.. Peter J. Steincrohn

Dear DR.. Steincrohn: Is
emphysema something new or
is 1t a new name for an old
disease? I know 1t is con-
nected with the lungs. VIII
you please tell something
about 1t and about the symp-
toms?-Mrs. K.
EMPHYSEMA is an old
disease; 1t is only new in that
during the past few years
more attention has been
given 1t. Scientists have been
studying Its causes and newer
methods of treatment to
make patients more comfort
able and prolong their lives.
Years ago we were almost
completely pessimistic about
1t. Now. at least, we try to
meet it head on-rather than
give in to defeat.
Primarily, emphysema Is
an overinflation Of the alive
oil Oung sacs). The walls
thin out and rupture. Some
times 1t comes on without
any known cause. In most
cases there is a history of
pneumonia, long standing
chronic bronchitis or bron-
chial asthma. Heavy cigarette
smoking is considered to pro-
duce tobacco bronchitis,
which leads to chronic cough
due to the production of
thick tenacious sputum, fol-
lowed years later by emphy-
sema. Air pollution with high
concentration Of sulfur diox-
ide certainly doesn't do the
lungs any good, either.
The symptoms of emphy-
sema vary depending upon
the extent Of the involve
ment. For example, some pa
tients complain of wheeling.
shortnesS of breath on exer-
ton. cough and cyanosis
(blueness Of lips, etc.,. These
are typical symptoms. But in
the more severe cases (due
in part Of carbon dioxide i'm
balance in the blood the
neart becomes enlarged and
begins to fail. Such patients
become so incapacitated that
walking a few steps causes
extreme shortness Of breath.
Treatments vary according
TO the cause and the extent
OF the emphysema: Breathing
exercises, drugs like epi-
nephrine to enable the pa
tient to exhale more easily,
potassium iodide to loosen the
thick sputum, graduated ex-
ercises with the help of oxy-
gen, vital capacity checkups
to determine how the lungs
are handling the patients
breathing requirements. (For
a complete yet concise review
OF this subject, I recommend
that you read Chronic Pull
monary Emphysema," by Drs.
Maurice s. Segal and M. ].
Dulfano. published by Grune
d Stratton Of New York City
You may find q copy in
the medical library Of your
local medical society,"
But in spite OF the recent
strides made in the treat
ment of emphysema. many
patients will cooperate in
every measure except one:
giving up tobacco. It's diff
cult to understand. I've sat
next to many a man who was
actually blue In the face from
coughing spasms. He would
put out his cigarette. Min
utes later, eyes bloodshot and
chest still heaving, he would
reach for his pack of ciga-
rettes, light up as If nothing
had happened. Within min
utes there would be another
coughing fit. soon followed by
another cigarette. What's
this but being your own worst
enemy? Often the patient is
more stubborn than the
empnySema.
Mrs. T.: II your husband
is apparently we'll and symp-
tomless ! think you can for
get about X-rays showing a
dropped stomach" We pay
little attention TO this, es-
pecially II the patient is tall
and thin. AS he has no COM
plants. why even think of
using an abdominal belt2
|
Mrs. B.: II aspirin keeps
your rheumatoid arthritis
comfortable, I see no need for
you TO take the corticoste-
roids.
tBell.Mcclurs syndlcate)
Or. Stetncrohn's ledtlet,
Hon TO Overcome Tension
and Fatigue, will be mailed
on receipt OF a stamped, self
addressed envelope and 10
cents In coin for handling.
Address Or. Steincrohn In
care OF The EuentnO Star.
Tomorrow Fever.