Emphysema Definition
Emphysema Definition
Emphysema Definition Overview
Emphysema definition: a chronic and progressive lung condition that causes shortness of breath resulting from the over-inflation of the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli). In patients with emphysema, the lung tissue responsible for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen is either destroyed or impaired. Emphysema is one of the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) because it inhibits airflow during exhalation whenever a person breathes.
Because emphysema destroys or impairs lung tissue around the air passages, it has a drastic effect on the anatomy of the lungs. These air passages, known as bronchioles, are responsible for letting air flow out of the lungs during exhalation. When the lung tissue is damaged, the bronchioles shut down, leading to air becoming trapped in the lungs. Emphysema also severely affects the capillaries (small blood vessels) of the lung. So not only does emphysema impair airflow by not letting carbon dioxide flow out of the lungs when a person breathes out, it also impairs blood flow by not letting the blood vessels receive enough oxygen when a person breathes in.
Lung tissue not affected by emphysema has a resemblance to how a new sponge would look, with small holes and a lot of elasticity. Lung tissue that has been affected by emphysema has a resemblance to how an old sponge would look, with larger holes and a loss of elasticity.
In United Stated, COPD ranks among the top four leading causes of death. Unfortunately COPD’s mortality rate rose still appears to be rising as compared to other diseases.
Emphysema Definition Facts
- Almost 2 million Americans suffer from emphysema.
- Emphysema is among the top 20 causes of lifestyle change in the United States.
- The main cause of emphysema is cigarette smoking.
- Emphysema is more common in men than it is in women. However, the incidence of emphysema in women is increasing.
- Emphysema takes a long time to develop. It is a progressive disease that results from years of cigarette smoking.
- Usually when 30 – 50% percent of lung tissue is lost, emphysema symptoms start to become noticeable.
- Men ages 65 and above are at a higher risk of developing emphysema.
- Emphysema is more common in the Midwest than any other part of the United States.
- Emphysema is a permanent disease that can be slowed but cannot be stopped.