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A member asked:
I heard emphysema can be caused by smoking, but is there an equivalent to emphysema but without smoking?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Yes: Emphesyma is destruction of lung tissue, and one of the causes for those who don't smoke is deficiency in an enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin. There is a finger prick blood test to detect a deficiency of this substance.
Answered 11/24/2016
4.7k views
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Yes: Alpha one antitrypsin deficiency causes emphysema and is genetically acquired. There is testing for this available as well as treatment.
Answered 5/18/2017
691 views
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