Emphysema
Emphysema is a lung condition where the tiny air sacs in your lungs get damaged, making it difficult to breathe out fully.
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Your lungs contain millions of tiny, stretchy balloon-like structures called alveoli (al-vee-oh-lie). When you breathe, these sacs fill with air to deliver oxygen to your body. In emphysema, the walls of these sacs are destroyed, which causes them to lose their natural stretchiness and trap old air inside.
Because the air cannot escape, your lungs become over-inflated and struggle to bring in fresh, oxygen-rich air. This process happens slowly over many years, meaning the damage is permanent and cannot be reversed, but medical care can help you manage your breathlessness.
Common Symptoms
- Feeling short of breath during activities like walking or climbing stairs.
- A chronic cough that produces a lot of mucus.
- Wheezing, which is a high-pitched whistling sound when you breathe.
- A tight feeling in your chest.
- Feeling very tired or worn out because your body isn't getting enough oxygen.