emphysema

Emphysema is a lung disease in which the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs fracture or burst. As these alveoli break, the remaining alveoli become enlarged to make up for the loss. This results in a fewer number of alveoli, with many enlarged. When alveoli are enlarged, they loose their elasticity resulting in the inability to eliminate air from the lungs. Therefore, patients must use force (energy) to expel this air. Furthermore, the loss of elasticity in the lungs affects the smaller bronchial tubes. To push air out of the bronchial tubes, a higher pressure must be developed inside the chest. This higher pressure tends to collapse the smaller bronchial tubes, making it even more difficult to empty air from the alveoli.

Coughing becomes very difficult and ineffective in expelling mucus, leaving the lungs more susceptible to lung infections, such as pneumonia. Emphysema cannot be cured and, except for oxygen, does not respond to any medication. However, emphysema is frequently associated with bronchitis and asthma and the symptoms can often can be alleviated in the same way as these conditions.