Emphysema

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Emphysema is a chronic obstructive disease of the lungs. The lungs contain millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. In emphysema, the sacs lose their elasticity and air becomes trapped in the sacs. It becomes difficult to expel oxygen-depleted air from the lungs. So the normal exchange of new and used air is diminished. Emphysema is classified as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Emphysema develops due to:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Inhaling toxins or other irritants
• Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD) – a genetic defect which can cause emphysema at an early age in non-smokers

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

• Smoking cigarettes
• Long-term second-hand or passive smoke exposure
• Family members with emphysema
• Exposure to pollutants at work
• History of frequent childhood lung infections
• Age: 50 or older

Symptoms

Early symptoms include:

• Coughing in the morning
• Coughing up clear sputum (mucus from deep in the lungs)
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath with activity

As the disease progresses, patients may experience:

• Increased shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Choking sensation when lying flat (may need to prop up with many pillows or even sleep in a chair)
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating
• Increase in chest size (barrel chest)
• Increased risk of serious lung infections
• Enlargement of the right chamber of the heart
• Heart failure 
• Coughing up thick and/or bloody mucus
• Swelling in the legs
• Weight loss
• Breathing through pursed lips
• Desire to lean forward to improve breathing
• More frequent flare-ups (periods of more severe symptoms)