Emphysema and Life Insurance Rates

Get Affordable Life Insurance even with Emphysema

Life insurance with emphysema Emphysema is a chronic, progressive disease that causes shortness of breath. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Smokers and men over fifty are most at risk for developing this incurable but controllable disease. If diagnosed in its earliest stages, emphysema’s symptoms and progression can be well-managed with cessation of smoking, lifestyle changes and a variety of medications. A person’s ability to obtain life insurance following a diagnosis of emphysema will be affected by the severity of the illness, how it affects a person’s daily activities of living and by the success of treatment in managing symptoms.

Why Emphysema Takes Your Breath Away

Cigarette smoking is almost always the origin of emphysema. It can also result from exposure to severe air pollution, a reactive airway, heredity or a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-1-antitrypsin. In people with emphysema, the lung tissues that support the physical shape and function of the lung are destroyed. The damaged lung tissue around smaller airways, called bronchioles and alveoli, render these airways unable to hold their shape properly when you exhale. A person with emphysema may experience shortness of breath following mild exertion and frequent coughing episodes accompanied by thick mucous or wheezing. Fatigue, anxiety and swelling of legs, ankles and feet may also be present. A physical examination will reveal that exhaling takes more than twice as long as inhaling for the person and there may be insufficient oxygen levels in the blood. A barrel-chested appearance is also a hallmark of the condition.

Other related medical conditions (or medical terminology) include Emphysema, COPD, Reduced Pulmonary Function, Lung Disease, and Pulmonary Function Test Emphysema. Read below for more information on receiving a life insurance quote from a life insurance specialist with these medical conditions.

Diseases that complicate the diagnosis of emphysema:

Cancer of the Lung
Heart Disease
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Sleep disorders (sleep apnea)
Pulmonary embolism

Getting Emphysema Under Control

Although emphysema is incurable, it can be controlled in most cases. Quitting smoking is the first and most important factor in managing this disease. Depending upon the severity of symptoms, relief can be achieved and progression of the disease slowed by employing a variety of treatments:

Bronchodilators to relax and open air passages
Prednisone or steroids, either inhaled or oral, during periods of infection or daily
Antibiotics in cases of bacterial pneumonia
Pulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen the muscles used in breathing and the rest of the body
Periodic use of low flow oxygen therapy during lung infections, air travel, at high altitudes or in extremes of humidity or temperature
Continuous oxygen therapy, day and night, in advanced cases
Lung volume reduction surgery to remove diseased portions of the lungs and allow remaining lung and breathing muscles to function better
Lung transplantation as a last resort in the most severe cases

Take Control of Emphysema and Insurers Will Take Notice

Most people with mild to moderate emphysema are insurable on some reasonable basis provided they are not smokers.The ability to stabilize the emphysema through participation in pulmonary rehabilitation and demonstration of a healthier lifestyle, such as quitting smoking or joining an exercise program like swimming, will enhance insurability.Mild emphysema complicated by some medical conditions, such as hypertension, that are well-controlled will not affect insurability. Other conditions, such as myocardial infarction or angina, complicate a diagnosis of emphysema making the person more difficult to insure and are often declined. Individuals with moderate emphysema who exhibit shortness of breath or who cannot walk a short distance without difficulty are usually considered uninsurable. Severe emphysema sufferers (especially those who continue smoking) and who require supplemental oxygen are uninsurable.

How Can MEG Financial Help?

At MEG Financial, we have worked with many individuals across the country that have had related histories and have helped many obtain fairly priced life insurance. A number of these clients previously attempted to buy life insurance elsewhere but were either turned down or asked to pay a significantly higher rate. Our experience helping others with related problems is invaluable to you in identifying the insurance company that will treat you most fairly.

For more specific information or to obtain a custom quote, call MEG Financial today at (877) 583-3955. You may also submit this short form and an independent insurance agent will personally contact you to go over any questions or other concerns.