Emphysema (em-fa-SEE-ma) is a chronic, irreversible lung disease
that slowly destroys the air sacs in the lungs. This reduces the
elasticity of the lungs and interferes with breathing, making it
hard to move air in and out of the lungs. Your chest may distend
into a barrel-like shape. You may also become more susceptible
to chest infections such as pneumonia and cardiovascular
problems. In severe conditions, the disease can lead to eventual
respiratory or cardiac failure. Emphysema is usually caused by
cigarette smoking and occurs most frequently in males over the
age of 45. However, the number of females being diagnosed with
emphysema is rising because of an increase in the number of
women smokers. Other causes may include living in an area with
polluted air or from inherited conditions leading to destruction
of parts of the lung tissues. Symptoms of emphysema usually
begin with breathing difficulty in the morning and at night.
This can be followed by breathlessness after climbing stairs. If
the condition pr