A pulmonary emphysema is a chronic disease that permanently affects important areas of the lungs. The term comes from the Greek word "enphysema", which means "blowing the air". It is characterized by the exaggerated expansion of areas close to the bronchioles, with a severe deterioration of the alveolar wall. It appears as a result of continuous cigarette consumption, since they release certain chemicals that deteriorate the alveoli. It also affects the elasticity of the organ in which the disease occurs, due to the fact that the synthesis of elastin is modified by recent external agents that enter the organism.
The condition only worsens over time. Air can enter the alveoli, but it cannot be released easily. AAT, a substance present in the lungs, can serve as a wall protector against this infection, which is why individuals who are deficient in this protease are more susceptible to emphysema. People over 40 years of age, mainly those of the male sex, who smoke, are considered those who, statistically, could be diagnosed are the clinical picture; however, the rate of affected women has been increasing in recent decades.
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and a non-productive cough. The deterioration of accessory muscles comes as a consequence of the need to breathe using alternative routes. Weight loss is also a major sign of emphysema. Once the disease develops, the rate of respiration increases considerably, the chest remains in a state of inhalation, air is often expelled in small puffs, and the lungs are expanded. To date, only 4 types of emphysema have been studied: panacinar, paraseptal, centrilobular, and irregular.
