Emphysema

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Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs in which air sacs/alveoli in lungs are gradually destroyed that primarily causes shortness of breath. It is one type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Why it occurs?

• Main Cause is smokίng.
• Air pollution
• Coal and silica dust
• Manufacturing fumes
• Inherited deficiency of a protein (rare)
• Immune deficiencies

What are the Symptoms?

There may be no symptoms in the early stages.

• Main symptom- shortness of breath
• Cough (sometimes production of mucus and wheezing)
• The chest may become distended and barrel-shaped from air trapped inside lungs in the late stages
• Recurring infections of the lungs
• Weight Loss

What can happen if it left untreated?

Following Complications may occur-

• Pneumothorax/Collapsed lung
• Heart Problems such as cor pulmonale, irregular heartbeat etc
• Large holes in the lungs
• Pneumonia