About Emphysema
The word Emphysema means ‘inflation’. In Emphysema,
the lungs lose their elasticity and become dilated with
air.
Our lungs are normally very spongy and elastic. There are
about 3 million tiny structures called alveoli in each lung.
Alveoli are very small air sacs that are arranged like a
bunch of grapes. It is here that the transfer of oxygen
and carbon dioxide takes place.
In Emphysema, the alveolar walls are destroyed. This makes
the lungs stiffer and less elastic. As a result, air is
unable to move out of the lungs properly and gets trapped
inside the lungs. The reduced expansion of the lungs during
the next breath reduces the amount of air that is inhaled.
As a result, there is inadequate supply of oxygen to the
body.
Emphysema falls in the broad category of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is an irreversible state, but
the progression of the disease can often be slowed down
with correct lifestyle changes and appropriate medication.
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