Emphysema

Emphysema is a disease that causes the alveoli (the tiny air sacs where the air meets the blood in your lungs) not to work properly. This means not as much oxygen can get into the blood of the person, and it makes breathing difficult. Because the blood isn't getting as much oxygen as it is supposed to, the body cells aren't getting the oxygen they need to release the energy in food. A person with emphysema can't exercise, because the lungs aren't able to supply enough oxygen. A person with severe emphysema can't even go for a walk without running out of breath!

Emphysema is mainly caused by smoking cigarettes. The tar from the smoke causes the cilia (the little brooms in the lungs that keep germs and dirty mucus out) to stop working. This causes infections and blocks tubes that carry air to the alveoli.

Because of the strain on the heart to pump oxygen around the body, most people with emphysema die from heart failure. Some people have to breathe oxygen from a tank to get a big enough supply for their bodies. There is no cure for emphysema.

The best way to avoid getting emphysema is to never start smoking.