Definition |
Pulmonary Emphysema is one
of the two forms of emphysema included as glossary pages on this
website.
The other form od emphysema included here is Surgical
Emphysema.
The air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs are enlarged and
damaged, which reduces the surface area for the exchange of oxygen
and carbon dioxide.
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Cause |
Normal lung tissue contains:
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Over-expansion of aveloar sacs leads to:
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Loss of elasticity
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Loss of surface area
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Loss of lung capacity
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Insufficient take-up of oxygen
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It is particularly common in men in Britain and
is associated with chronic bronchitis, smoking, and advancing
age.
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Effect (Symptoms) |
Severe emphysema causes breathlessness/severe breathing
difficulty, which is made worse by infections. |
To read about other conditions visit the page about Diseases
and Disorders of the Respiratory System. |
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