Find Out What Causes Emphysema Here

By Sherly Bakemeier

The human body has many vital organs and the lungs located in the chest are among the most important of them. When we fall ill, it is usually one of these organs that are not working properly, and like any other organ, the lungs too can get affected. Emphysema is a common disorder of the lungs that affects a large number of people. However some people are of the opinion that this is not that serious an issue - but in reality, this is a mistake. You should know that if not treated on time, emphysema can also be fatal. It is thus important to know what causes emphysema. And not just that - once you know the causes and understand the symptoms, you should put complete effort to curing it.

What Is Emphysema?

Emphysema is a common disease of the lungs wherein the affected person faces problems in breathing. Actually, the person does not face that much of a problem when he or she is trying to breathe in - the problem is in breathing out. In other words, the carbon dioxide accumulation within the body cannot be exhaled out smoothly, and this leads to trouble.

Of course the inability to breathe out will cause suffocation and breathlessness, but the resulting accumulation of excess carbon dioxide within the body will also cause other complications. For example, if the body has more carbon dioxide than it needs, then the cells will not function properly and this causes accumulation of toxins. Plus, oxygen absorption will also be affected. In some cases however (in more serious cases), when the person is suffering from emphysema, he or she will also not be able to breathe in.

What Causes Emphysema?

The main emphysema causes include...

1. Smoking - Excess smoking swells the lung cells and this inflammation affects the bronchioles within the lungs. Besides, proteases that are enzymes also get activated. When activated, these enzymes destroy the lung tissues.

2. The disease can also be caused because of a genetic predisposition. Known as the deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin, this is however a rare condition that is caused when there is a deficiency in chemicals that offers protection to the lungs.

3. Sometimes a person becomes a victim of the disease with age. With age, the elastic nature of the lungs goes down and this is one cause of emphysema.

4. Intravenous drugs can also cause emphysema because they can make the lungs toxic.

5. Immunity related problems can also cause emphysema.

6. Tissue relates illnesses such as the Marfan syndrome or the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome can also make a person become a victim of the disease.

7. The disease can be caused by other factors too in those countries that are not that developed. For example, smoke emanating from cooking from indoor stoves is known to have caused it among many.

What causes emphysema is just one part of the puzzle. But the more important part is how to treat it and get rid of the pain, shortness of breath and the other problems. Once affected, the symptoms can last for a while and it can affect an adult and a child too. And the symptoms can be acute. So it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Yes it is not contagious and is not probably as dangerous as many other illnesses. But that does not mean you can sit tight and relax when you know what causes emphysema. It is essential that you seek treatment immediately. There are many natural as well as conventional cures that can reduce the symptoms and provide you relief.

Sherly Bakemeier is an observer for [http://www.chronicbronchitistreatment.net/whatcausesemphysema.htm]What Causes Emphysema. Please visit her [http://www.chronicbronchitistreatment.net]Chronic Bronchitis Treatment site for latest update.

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