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Emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a chronic condition that affects the lungs. Emphysema sufferers lose elasticity of the air sacks in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Lungs extend as we inhale, shrinking back as we exhale. But with emphysema, air becomes trapped, ballooning the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

Air travels in and out of the lungs through air passages made of flexible tissue. Strips of muscle encircle the passageways to help keep them open. These air ways fork off into smaller passageways called bronchioles, ending in an assembly of balloon-like sacs called alveoli. The blood vessels around the alveoli draw oxygen into the bloodstream as the alveoli remove carbon dioxide which is then exhaled.

The diaphragm, below the lungs, moves in and out as we inhale and exhale. Damaged passageways lose their elasticity and may collapse upon exhaling, trapping air in the alveoli making it hard to breathe.

Cilia are the delicate fibers that are steadily moving toxins out of the lungs. When the cilia are impaired, harmful particles can cause irritation, scaring tissue. More men than women are affected by emphysema, and it's commonly due to smoking or routine exposure to cigarette smoke.

There are also work-related exposures to smoke and toxins that can contribute to the development of emphysema such as mining, firefighters, railroad work and land clearing where debris is burned. Any smoke-filled environment can contribute to the development of emphysema.

Smoking causes close to eighty percent of all lung diseases, including emphysema and most emphysema sufferers are smokers. The toxic substances in the smoke stays in contact with the lungs. Exposure to pollutants in the air and chemical imbalance in lung tissue accounts for a small percentage of emphysema conditions, but is quite rare.

Some of the symptoms associated with emphysema include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and prevailing cough. Emphysema is irreversible, but with proper treatment, such as bronchodilators, which are prescription medications that relax the air passages, and breathing exercises to strengthen the lungs, it can be controlled.

In conclusion, I must emphasize the fact that emphysema is a life-threatening condition in which damage to the lungs is irreversible. But with lifestyle changes and proper use of medicines, its symptoms and progression can often be controlled to help improve quality of life for those who suffer from it. Furthermore, patients who smoke, experience accelerated deterioration in lung function when compared to those who quit.

Learn more about this author, Pat Lunsford.
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