Emphysema
Emphysema is a condition in which there
is over-inflation of alveoli or air sacs.
It is known from scientific research that
the normal lung has a remarkable balance
between two classes of chemicals with
opposing actions. The lung also has a
system of elastic fibers. The fibers allow
the lungs to expand and contract. When the
chemical balance is altered, the lungs
lose the ability to protect themselves
against the destruction of these elastic
fibers. This over-inflation results from a
breakdown of the walls of the alveoli,
which causes a decrease in respiratory
function and often, breathlessness. Early
symptoms or emphysema include shortness of
breath and coughing.
There are a number of reasons this
chemical imbalance occurs. Smoking is
responsible for 82% of chronic lung
disease, including emphysema. Exposure to
air pollution is another suspected cause.
Irritating fumes and dusts on the job also
are thought to be a factor. A small number
of people with emphysema have a rare
inherited form of the disease called alpha
1-antitrvpsin (AAT) deficiency-related
emphysema, or early onset emphysema. This
form of disease is caused by an inherited
lack of a protein called alpha
1-antitrypsin (AAT).
The prevalence of emphysema is fairly
low in the general population (2 million).
Unlike chronic bronchitis, the rates for
emphysema have been consistently higher in
males than in females. The rates decreased
for males by about 52 percent (15.4 vs.
7.4 per 1,000), but increased slightly for
females by about 19 percent (5.4 vs. 6.4
per 1,000) from 1982-1996 indicating that
the gender disparity in the prevalence
rates of emphysema over this period has
decreased. The rates are higher in whites
than in blacks. The prevalence rate for
whites decreased by about 32 percent (11.4
vs. 7.7 per 1,000 population), but by only
about 6 percent for blacks (3.4 vs. 3.2
per 1,000). The racial disparity in the
prevalence rates for emphysema has also
decreased due to a falling rate in
whites.
Emphysema ranks ninth among chronic
conditions that contribute to lack of
activity: over 42% of individuals with
emphysema report that their daily
activities have been limited by the
disease.
Many of the people with emphysema are
older men, but the condition is increasing
among women. Males with:
- Emphysema ranks ninth among chronic conditions that contribute to lack of activity: over 42% of individuals with emphysema report that their daily activities have been limited by the disease.
- Many of the people with emphysema are older men, but the condition is increasing among women. Males with emphysema outnumber females by 64%. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 2003.
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