Is a long term progressive disease of the lungs and occurs when the tiny air sacs in the lungs,

called the alveoli fill up with air.

Emphysema is not curable, the condition cannot be reversed. However, treatment may slow down its rate of progression and alleviate symptoms.

The patient becomes progressively short of breath because the total area within the lung where blood and air can come together, is limited so the potential for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer is much less.

When the air builds up in these sacs, they expand, and may break or become damaged and form scar tissue. When the person breathes out, the alveoli and small airways collapse and lose their shape.

The patient becomes progressively short of breath because the total area within the lung where blood and air can come together, is limited so the potential for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer is much less.

Main causes include: - Cigarette smoking - Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco - Certain fumes or dust - Genetic factors.
Large air spaces appear reducing the surface area for gas exchange and making sufferers breathe more rapidly. In rare cases genes may play a role in you developing emphysema, if you have the Alpha-1-antitrypsin which fights a destructive enzyme in the lungs. Cigarette smoking is by far the most dangerous behaviour that causes people to develop emphysema, and it is also the most preventable cause. Other air pollutants and fumes over a long period of time cause the lungs to become irritated. The smoke disrupts the sweeping action of the cilia on the lining of the lung airwaves, long exposures to smoke lead to the disappearance of the cilia which cause a build-up in mucus. This causes the pathways to become inflamed, narrowed and destroys the elasticity in the lung tissue; this prevents the lungs from springing back to into its original shape.

- Shortness of breath - A cough and wheezing may be - Purse-lipped breathing: This is a technique of breathing which allows the person to exhale completely due to their lips blocking the flow of air which increases the pressure in the collapsed airways and opens them. They use this technique because their airways close when the chest wall collapses during expiration due to emphysema. - Tolerance for exercise decreases over time - Slow deterioration is the rule - A "barrel chest" may develop where the distance from the chest to the back is less than the distance side to side, becomes more pronounced. This is a direct result of air becoming trapped behind obstructed airways.