General Information About Emphysema
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the destruction of the walls of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) at the ends of the lungs, turning them into larger and dysfunctional air spaces, resulting in the lung losing its spongy structure.
The vast majority of cases develop as a result of long-term use of cigarettes or tobacco products. More rarely, a genetic enzyme deficiency (Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) can also lead to emphysema.
Chronic shortness of breath that initially begins only during exertion (like climbing stairs) but continues even at rest as the disease progresses, rapid fatigue, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
When the walls of the air sacs are destroyed, the lungs cannot expel the dirty air inside while exhaling. The dirty air gets trapped inside, leaving no room for clean oxygen, which leads the person to feel a sensation of suffocating.
A definitive diagnosis is made through Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) that measure the patient's respiratory capacity, and High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the chest that shows the damaged areas in the lung in detail.
The damaged air sacs cannot return to their original state. The goal of treatment is to stop the progression. Immediate smoking cessation, inhaler medications that expand the airways, and oxygen therapy in advanced stages are applied.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
