What is end stage empysema?

Causes resp. Failure: Due to structural lung disease. Co2 retention followed by coma and death if untreated. Treatment is often not successful in the long term.

Bad: Severe emphysema that causes shortness of breath either at rest or with minimal exertion (such as walking across a room) would be considered "end stage" meaning terminal or life threatening.

See below: The end-stage of lung disease usually caused by smoking. See a doctor who can tell you where exactly you are by a simple test done in the office. If you still smoke, quit! if you really have advanced lung disease and you are younger, get evaluated for a lung transplant. Or, there is pulmonary rehabilitation - an exercise program that really helps, oxygen and other things.