Emphysema
shared by chiarabeltrami on May 15
107
views
0
faves
0
comments
Emphysema gradually damages the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs, making you progressively more short of breath. Emphysema is one of several diseases known collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonar...
y disease. (COPD).
Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema.
Your lungs' alveoli are clustered like bunches of grapes. In emphysema, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and eventually rupture — creating one larger air space instead of many small ones. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and, in turn, the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream.
When you exhale, the damaged alveoli don't work properly and old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh, oxygen-rich air to enter. Treatment may slow the progression of emphysema, but it can't reverse the damage.
Publisher
Chiara BeltramiAnimator
Valen BlancoWriter
Victoria BlancoSource
Unknown. Add a sourceCategory
HealthGet a Quote
