emphysema

Incurable lung condition characterized by disabling breathlessness. Progressive loss of the thin walls dividing the air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs reduces the area available for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, causing the lung tissue to expand. The term ‘emphysema’ can also refer to the presence of air in other body tissues.

Emphysema is most often seen at an advanced stage of chronic bronchitis, although it may develop in other long-standing diseases of the lungs and is also associated with smoking. It destroys lung tissue, leaving behind scar tissue in the form of air blisters called bullae. As the disease progresses, the bullae occupy more and more space in the chest cavity, inflating the lungs and causing severe breathing difficulties. The bullae may be removed surgically, and since 1994 US trials have achieved measured success using lasers to eliminate them in a procedure called lung-reduction pneumenoplasty (LRP). Lasers are particularly useful where the emphysema is diffuse and bullae are interspersed within healthy tissue. As LRP is a less invasive process, survival rates are improved (90% compared with 75% for conventional surgery) and patients recover quicker.

Other treatment options include medication, such as bronchodilators, and oxygen therapy. Antibiotics and fluid replenishment may be used to avoid lung infections.