What is emphysema ?

COPD: It is a chronic-obstructive-pulmonary disease (COPD) defined pathologically as: abnormal and permanent enlargement of air spaces in your lungs (not the airways), and destructions of structures called a aveolar walls without fibrosis (scarring). There is much information about this diease and so if you are curious, go to national lung, heart, blood institute (nhlbi.Nih.Gov) to learn... Good luck.

Destruction of lungs: Your lungs are supposed to be soft and spongy. Emphysema, your lungs are basically like swiss cheese, stiff, and not very functional (depending on how severe it is). It is commonly associated with smoking, but there are some rare genetic disorders that can do it as well.

Destruction of lung: This is destruction of lung tissue, most often from smoking. It can cause symptoms of cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It is diagnosed by imaging and lung function tests.

Definition...: Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is usually caused by cigarette smoking which damages the lungs leading to this disease. It is an incurable, slowly progressive disease. Once present, treatments are aimed at reducing symptoms and insuring that there is enough oxygen in the body to support it. Smoking cessation is vital to decrease airway inflammation.

Lung damage: Destruction of lung tissue from exposure to cigarette smoke. As more lung tissue is destroyed, shortness of breath gets worse, and ultimately the lungs cannot do their job, and the body gets starved of oxygen.

COPD: Empysema is a form of copd, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is not curable and it is slowly progressive. There are treatments to control symptoms so you need to see your doctor for both diagnosis and treatment. Smoking cessation is vital to slow progression as well as lessen inflammation and symptoms. You doctor can help with this as well.

Loss of lung tissue: Emphysema is the loss of alveolar units where air exchange takes place in the lung usually secondary to cigarette smoking. In some cases, a genetic deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-1-antitrypsin may be responsible even in non-smokers. The loss of elastic tissue that ensues leads to airflow obstruction and breathlessness especially with exertion.

Emphysema.: Emphysema is a destruction of lung tissue with resultant reduction in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange and respiratory effort. It's usually due to smoking but could be due to other medial conditions. It's treatable but not curable.

Breakdown of walls: Of the small air pouches in your lung, called alveoli. When the walls become damaged, the alveoli merge into one larger pouch, decreasing the surface area where gas exchange can occur. Think of this by comparing the surface area of a ballon of equal size to a bunch of grapes. Though individually smaller, there are many grapes in the same volume, so more surface area.

COPD late stage: Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are but parts of COPD (obstructive pulmonary disease). In emphysema, the continual inflammation causes damage to the lungs that cannot be repaired or will go away. If you smoke- quit if you don't- don;t start.