Overview
Emphysema happens when the tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged and lose their stretch. This makes it harder for the lungs to exchange oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Over time, breathing can become more difficult, and some people feel limited in daily activities. Emphysema is commonly grouped under COPD.
Key Symptoms
The most common symptom is ongoing shortness of breath that often gets worse slowly. People may also have wheezing, a long-lasting cough, chest tightness, or tiredness. Some notice they cannot exercise or climb stairs as easily as before. Symptoms may flare up at times, especially with infections or smoke exposure.
Causes and Risk Factors
Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of emphysema. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust at work can also raise risk. A rare inherited condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can lead to emphysema, even in people who have never smoked. Risk often rises with age and with longer exposure to lung irritants.
Who Is Affected
Emphysema is more common in adults, especially people with a history of smoking or long-term exposure to polluted air or workplace irritants. It can affect people in many countries and settings. People with inherited alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may develop it at a younger age than usual.
Prevention
Not smoking is one of the most important ways to reduce risk. If you smoke, getting support to quit can help protect your lungs. Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, indoor air pollution, dust, and chemical fumes may also help. Vaccination and infection prevention can lower the chance of breathing problems that worsen lung disease.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, smoking history, work exposures, and family history. Breathing tests such as spirometry are commonly used to check how well the lungs are working. Other tests may include pulse oximetry, chest imaging, or blood tests, including testing for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in some people. Diagnosis should be made by a qualified clinician.
Treatment Categories
Treatment aims to improve breathing, reduce flare-ups, and support daily life. Options may include stopping smoking, inhaled medicines, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy for some people, and vaccines to help prevent infections. In selected cases, procedures or surgery may be considered. A healthcare professional can explain which options may fit a person's condition.
Living With It
Living with emphysema often means pacing activities and learning how to manage breathlessness. Follow-up care is important because symptoms can change over time. Some people benefit from breathing exercises, rehabilitation programs, and support for anxiety or low mood related to chronic illness. Family and community support can also make day-to-day coping easier.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if you have ongoing shortness of breath, a long-lasting cough, wheezing, or reduced ability to do normal activities. You should also get checked if symptoms are getting worse or if you have frequent chest infections. Early assessment can help identify the cause and guide treatment.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help right away if breathing suddenly becomes much harder, if lips or face look blue or gray, or if there is new confusion, fainting, or severe chest pain. Emergency care is also important if a person cannot speak in full sentences because of breathlessness. These symptoms can signal dangerously low oxygen or another serious problem.