Pulmonary Conditions and Disease Info Emphysema Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that slowly deteriorates the lungs by affecting the walls of the air sacs, or aveoli, so that they cannot push air out as normal air sacs do. This interferes with breathing, making it hard to move air into and out of the lungs.
Smoking is the most common cause of emphysema.
Symptoms of shortness of breath with exertion such as climbing stairs can progess to the point that you are disabled. If you have emphysema and smoke, you should quit smoking. Your doctor can recommend a program to help you. Exercises that strengthen your diaphragm and abdominal muscles will make breathing easier. Oxygen therapy is often recommended for emphysemic patients and the Pulmonary Clinic can evaluate patients for alternative methods of oxygen delivery.