How does emphysema affect a persons alveoli?
Emphysema is a condition in which there is over-inflation of structures in the lungs known as alveoli or air sacs. This over-inflation results from a breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, which causes a decrease in respiratory function and breathlessness. In emphysema, the lungs loose elasticity and are unable to fully expand and contract. This occurs because the air sacs cannot completely deflate, thus unable to fill with fresh air for adequate ventilation. Emphysema in children is usually caused by congenital abnormalities of the lung and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. In emphysema, the patient can breathe in but breating out is difficult and inefficient. The seriousness of emphysema varies greatly. Some persons never reach a stage of incapacity and go through life with relatively litte inconvenience, while in others, the disease worsens until final degeneration of the ability to breath occurs. In other words: The air is trapped in aveoli. The aveoli loose their elasticity so they
