Emphysema

📋Overview

This condition is a primary component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and involves the progressive damage of the alveoli. Over time, the inner walls of these air sacs may weaken and rupture, creating larger, less efficient air spaces that reduce the surface area available for oxygen to reach the bloodstream.

As the structural integrity of the lung tissue declines, air often becomes trapped within the damaged spaces, which can prevent fresh, oxygen-rich air from entering the lungs. This clinical process typically leads to respiratory impairment as the lungs lose their natural elasticity and ability to facilitate gas exchange.