Emphysema
From Health Encyclopedia
Contents |
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Broader Terms
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Related Terms
alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
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Scope Note
subcategory of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; characterized by anatomic alterations of the lungs, such as the enlargement of airspaces and destruction of alveolar walls.
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Facts
- Emphysema is physical destruction of lung tissue that results in obstruction to air flow and development of enlarged air sacs.
- Emphysema is not reversible, but the disease is manageable through medications, exercise and good nutrition.
- Emphysema is a degenerative disease that usually develops after many years of assault on lung tissues from cigarette smoke or other toxins that pollute the air.
- The earliest symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath during activity.
- Emphysema is often associated with smoking.
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