Pulmonary and Critical Care

Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that is part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It involves the progressive destruction of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. This damage reduces the surface area available for oxygen to enter the blood and carbon dioxide to be expelled, leading to breathing difficulties.

Emphysema is primarily caused by cigarette smoking, as the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke damage lung tissue and lead to inflammation. Long-term exposure to environmental pollutants, such as air pollution, industrial fumes, and dust, can also contribute to the development of the disease. Additionally, a rare genetic condition known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can cause early-onset emphysema by impairing the lung's ability to protect itself from damage. The symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, due to the lungs' reduced capacity to exchange gases efficiently. Patients may also experience a chronic cough, often accompanied by sputum production, wheezing characterized by a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, and fatigue resulting from decreased oxygen levels and the increased effort required to breathe.