Emphysema – a severe form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – is a progressive disease that traps air in the air sacs in your lungs (alveoli) and causes hyperinflation, which makes it difficult to expel air from the lungs.
Healthy Lung
Healthy Lung
Lung with emphysema
Lung with emphysema
Smoking – and inhaling second-hand smoke – is the most common cause of emphysema and is thought to be responsible for 85 to 90 percent of cases. Emphysema can also be caused by occupational exposure to fumes, dust and vapors, as well as by air pollution and generic pre destination abnormalities (Alpha I Antitrypsin Deficiency).
Extreme shortness of breath and exercise intolerance are hallmarks of emphysema. This can make routine activities, such as walking, eating, showering and housework very challenging and may lead to depression and hopelessness.
A full list of symptoms includes:
Emphysema cannot be cured; however, treatment may help reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow progression of the disease.
Today, emphysema treatment options include:
