Emphysema

Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture — creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones. 
This reduces the surface area of the lungs and, in turn, the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream. When you exhale, the damaged alveoli don't work properly and old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air to enter.
Most people with emphysema also have chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the tubes that carry air to your lungs (bronchial tubes), which leads to a persistent cough.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two conditions that make up chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Treatment may slow the progression of COPD, but it can't reverse the damage.
== Symptoms ==
The symptoms of emphysema include:
* Chest pain
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Frequent respiratory infections, like pneumonia and bronchitis
* Wheezing
* Cough
* Coughing blood
* Lack of energy
* Weight loss
* Swelling in ankles, feet or legs
== Causes ==
The main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, including:
*Tobacco smoke
*Marijuana smoke
*Air pollution
*Chemical fumes and dust
Rarely, emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein that protects the elastic structures in the lungs. It's called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.
== Treatment ==
Emphysema and COPD can't be cured, but treatments can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Treatment options include medications, therapy, and surgery.
Category:Respiratory system
Category:Chronic
Category:Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease