I am a 27 yr old female who was just told i have emphysema. I never smoked a day in my life. How can this be. I am getting married this summer we planned on having another child as I have a 5 yr old girl now. Please somesomeone help me I thought this only occured to people who smoked? It was found after I was dianosed with walking pneumonia last month on the right lung the left lung on a follow up x ray showed enphysema. I am just numb
Hi Jessica,
Smoking is the usual cause but you can also get it from being exposed to smoke or air pollution, including from coal or mining.
There is also a condition antitripsin deficiency emphysema, it's inherited.
If you don't have a pulmonologist, get one. If you do, you can always seek a second or third opinion.
Good luck.