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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:29 Causes of Emphysema
2:13 Symptoms of Emphysema
2:35 Diagnosis of Emphysema
3:17 Treatment of Emphysema
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition involving damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lung which allow for rapid gaseous exchange (the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules to and from the bloodstream.
• There are about 3 million alveoli in the normal lungs.
• The alveoli stretch as we breathe in air, drawing oxygen in and transporting it to the blood. The alveoli shrink when we exhale, forcing carbon dioxide out of the body.
• With emphysema, the lining of the alveoli becomes damaged beyond repair.
• With this damage, the inner wall of the alveoli weakens and rupture, resulting in larger air spaces rather than the many tiny ones.
• The surface area of the lungs becomes reduced, and in turn, the amount of oxygen reaching the bloodstream, making it harder to breathe.
• Also, during exhalation, old air becomes trapped, leaving no room for fresh and oxygen-rich air to enter the body.
• Emphysema is one of the two most common types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The other major COPD condition is chronic bronchitis.
• Possible complications of emphysema include heart failure, collapsed lungs, large holes in the lungs.