emphysema results when the delicate linings of the air sacs in the lungs become irreversibly damaged. most commonly the toxins in cigarette smoke create the damage. over years the lung changes of emphysema slowly evolve: as the fragile tissues between air sacs are destroyed air pockets in the lungs develop. air becomes trapped in these spaces of damaged lung tissue. the lungs slowly enlarge and breathing requires more effort. this problem of emphysema is called airflow limitation. during lung function testing it takes someone with emphysema far longer to empty their lungs than it does a person without emphysema.
what happens in emphysema?