Emphysema causes the walls between the air sacs within the lungs to lose their ability to stretch and recoil. They become weakened and break. Elasticity of the lung tissue is lost, causing air to be trapped in the air sacs and impairing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Also, the support of the airways is lost, allowing for obstruction of airflow. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and limited exercise tolerance.
Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation and eventual scarring of the lining of the bronchial tubes.
Symptoms include chronic cough, increased mucus, frequent clearing of the throat, and shortness of breath. In the absence of AAT, emphysema is almost inevitable. An estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans, primarily of northern European descent, have AAT deficiency emphysema. The onset of this disease usually occurs when people are between the ages of 20 and 50. It is characterized by shortness of breath and decreased exercise capacity.