SMOKING RELATED DISEASE 2: EMPHYSEMA

Emphysema is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that can get worse over time. It is usually caused by smoking. Having emphysema means some of the air sacs in your lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe.

What causes emphysema?

Emphysema can be caused by one or a combination of the following:

• Cigarette smoking: Most cases of emphsyema are caused by cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoke reaches deep into the lungs and causes permanent damage. If you have emphysema from cigarettes, the best way to stop your lung damage is to quit smoking as soon as possible. It's never too late to quit smoking.

• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency: Some people have emphsyema because of a rare genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency. People with Alpha-1 are missing an enzyme that protects their lungs. Some people with Alpha-1 deficiency get emphysema without ever having smoked. Other people get emphsyema from the combination of smoking and having Alpha-1 deficiency.

• Air pollution: There is some evidence that air pollution can contribute to people getting emphysema, especially if the person also smokes.

Signs and symptoms of emphysema

• Breathlessness
  
• A barrel-shaped chest
• Wheezing
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
• Losing weight without trying

People might think that breathlessness is a normal sign of aging, but it is not. If you have these signs and symptoms, see your doctor. Ask for spirometry, a simple test that measures how much air you move out of your lungs.

These signs and symptoms will not go away over time, they will get worse. The sooner you see the doctor, the sooner you can find out how to feel better.