LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Emphysema: Air
built 642 days ago
Emphysema is a gradual and progressive condition that stems from years of exposure to chemical pollutants, most often from cigarette smoking. In some cases emphysema is caused by workplace and environmental air pollutants, and in a very small percentage of people, emphysema is caused by an inherited chemical imbalance in the lung tissue. This rare, inherited condition is known as early onset emphysema or AAT deficiency-related emphysema.
Source:
Emphysema is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function. Chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, or a combination of these conditions with emphysema ... are forms of COPD. COPD is the fourth most common and the most rapidly increasing cause of death in the United States.
Source:
Emphysema is a chronic condition that occurs when the air sacs in the walls of the lungs become inflamed, resulting in reduced elasticity. This reduced elasticity causes the sacs to overexpand and impede airflow in the lungs. Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and results in permanent holes in the lower lung tissue.
Source:
Emphysema is a chronic, progressive condition which affects 2.0 million Americans. It is a disease of the lungs most commonly caused by smoking. Generally it is a breakdown in the walls of the air sacs of the lung causing them to become abnormally enlarged. These abnormally enlarged air sacs function poorly for oxygenation.
Source:
Emphysema is a serious lung disease that follows destruction of the elastic and connective tissue fibers supporting the lung. It is linked with advancing age, though certain forms of emphysema are inherited. Heavy cigarette smoking and long exposure to air pollutants seem to encourage the disease.
Source:
Emphysema is an irreversible condition, but treatment exists to make living with the disease more comfortable. Treatment includes bronchodilators, prescription drugs that relax the airway, to relieve constricted airways and breathing exercises to strengthen the lungs. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be performed.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Air