Emphysema is a degenerative disease that usually develops after many years of assault on lung tissues from cigarette smoke or other toxins that pollute the air. These toxins destroy the small air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. They stretch as they transport oxygen from the air to the blood and then shrink as they force out carbon dioxide.
 Many septa between the alveoli are destroyed and much of the elastic tissue of the lungs is replaced by connective tissue. As a result, the lungs lose elasticity, and exhaling becomes difficult as the damaged lungs trap air and cannot effectively exchange it with fresh air. As the damage progresses, the effort needed to breathe increases and ultimately each breath becomes labored.
The ALA (American Lung Association) estimated that in 1998 two million Americans had Emphysema, cigarette smoking being the primary cause.
Main symptoms of emphysema may be shortness of breath particularly after or during a physical activity. Coughing, wheezing and chronic mucus production are also very common signs.
Since emphysema is incurable because damaged lung tissue cannot be replace the treatments for this disease can only prevent more damage to the lungs. Blood test, chest x-rays and a pulmonary function test are done to study the severity of the disease. Bronchodilator drugs are given to widen the bronchi and bronchioles. Corticosteroid drugs may be prescribed to aid with reducing the inflammation and diuretic drugs may be given to reduce the volume of fluid. First thing to do is to stop smoking.