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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEmphysema is a factor in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that limits the flow of air when you breathe out. Emphysema occurs when the air sacs at the ends of your smallest air passages (bronchioles) are gradually destroyed. Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema.
As it worsens, emphysema turns the spherical air sacs — clustered like bunches of grapes — into large, irregular pockets with gaping holes in their inner walls. This reduces the number of air sacs and keeps some of the oxygen entering your lungs from reaching your bloodstream. In addition, the elastic fibers that hold open the small airways leading to the air sacs are slowly destroyed, so that they collapse when you breathe out, not letting the air in your lungs escape.
Airway obstruction, another feature of COPD, contributes to emphysema. The combination of emphysema and obstructed airways makes breathing increasingly difficult. Treatment often slows, but doesn't reverse, the process.
- Emphysema. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2060053&content_id={39330D56-C0E9-4D08-B98F-18EA7B3C410B}¬oc=1. Accessed March 4, 2009.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fact sheet. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058829&content_id={EE451F66-996B-4C23-874D-BF66586196FF}¬oc=1. Accessed March 4, 2009.
- What is COPD? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html. Accessed March 4, 2009.
- Celli BR. Update on the management of COPD. CHEST. 2008;133:1451.
- Bruce ML, et al. COPD: Your role in early detection. The Nurse Practitioner Journal. 2007;32:25.
- Corbridge SJ, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AAOHN Journal. 2007;55:181.
- Rennard SI. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Definition, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and staging. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.
- Weiss ST. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Risk factors and risk reduction. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.
- Ferguson GT et al, Management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.
- Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Medical Communications Resources, Inc. Accessed March 20, 2009.
