For Emphysema we have terms and definitions in 5 topics. The topics are Cancer, Medical, Naturopathic, Organ Transplant and Quitting Smoking.

Emphysema (Cancer)

Pulmonary emphysema is a disorder affecting the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs. The transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs takes place in the walls of the alveoli. In emphysema, the alveoli become abnormally inflated, damaging their walls and making it harder to breathe. People who smoke or have chronic bronchitis have an increased risk of emphysema.

Emphysema (Medical)

A chronic disease in which the small air sacs in the lungs (the alveoli) become damaged; characterized by difficulty breathing

Emphysema (Naturopathic)

A pulmonary condition with loss of elasticity in the alveoli and the interalveolar septa...the meat-foam and their interleaving sheaths that you fill up when you breathe. If a septum gets too stretched over time, several of the little sacs will coalesce together, decreasing the surface area for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. If enough of these sacs lose their separateness, like small soap bubbles joining to make a few larger ones, breathing gets harder because each breath accomplishes less interchange of gases, resulting in emphysema. Caused by years of bad asthma, tobacco smoking, chemical damage, and other chronic lung disorders, it can be halted but not reversed. The first breath you take defines forever the number of the alveolar bubbles...they cannot be regenerated if they coalesce together.

Emphysema (Organ Transplant)

A lung disease in which the air sacs are enlarged and damaged, impairing breathing and often requiring lung transplantation; most frequently caused by smoking.

Emphysema (Quitting Smoking)

A lung disease in which tissue deterioration results in increased air retention and reduced exchange of gases. The result is difficult breathing and shortness of breath. It is often caused by smoking.

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