Emphysema Overview

Emphysema occurs when air sacs in the lungs are gradually destroyed, making you short of breath more slowly. Emphysema is one of several diseases known collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking is a major cause of emphysema.

As it worsens, emphysema front air bags ball - clustered like grapes - in large, irregular pockets with gaping holes in interior walls. This reduces the surface of the lungs and in turn the amount of oxygen reaching your bloodstream.

Emphysema is also slowly destroy the elastic fibers that keep open the small airways leading to the airbag. This allows those Airways collapses, as you exhale, the air in your lungs can not escape. The treatment can slow the progression of emphysema, but can not reverse damage.