Causes of Emphysema
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
When we inhale air, oxygen is absorbed from the air in our lungs and into the blood. This is achieved with the help from alveoli, which are tiny sacs that are found within the lungs. These sacs help to significantly increase the surface area of the lungs, allowing us to absorb more oxygen in each breath we take.
Emphysema is a condition in which these sacs become damaged and this, in turn, means our lungs are less effective at absorbing oxygen. This will result in the patient experiencing symptoms like being mentally slower than usual, extremities turning blue, and shortness of breath. There are a number of potential causes of emphysema.
