Science Lesson No. 8

In The Blow-up Man, Dr. Miller needs to go care for an elderly patient just admitted to the hospital for a flair-up of emphysema, but he’s held up by the intrusive, deceptive Annette. Dr. Miller is the medical director of the nursing home where Annette works, and she has plans for her advancement. She’s willing to do just about anything to move up the social ladder. If Annette had things her way, she’d be the next Mrs. Miller. Luckily, Dr. Miller sees through Annette’s plan and avoids her tangled web of deceit.

But what is emphysema? Emphysema is a disease that causes damage to the air-sacs of the lungs. People with this disease don’t necessarily have trouble breathing in. It’s blowing air out that’s the problem. The disease can progress to a point where they have a constant feeling they’re not getting enough air, also known as “air hunger”. In addition to the difficulty breathing, a person with emphysema will develop a barrel chest over time. That’s where the chest takes on the shape of barrel from the air that gets trapped inside.

There is an inherited disorder that causes emphysema, but the primary source is smoking. Did you know that smokers are six times more likely to develop emphysema than nonsmokers (www.webmd.com/lung/copd/what-is-emphysema#2)? My point—don’t smoke!

There are many references in The Blow-up Man about not being able to get your breath. Why, do you ask? It’s because that’s what I fear most. The idea of drowning or suffocating terrifies me. In fact, that gives me an idea for my next book. Yeah, you heard it here first. There will be a sequel to The Blow-up Man, so get your copy of The Blow-up Man today, and be ready for what comes next. Bye for now, Nina B.