Revealed - What Causes Emphysema and Why Smoking is the #1 Culprit

By Sherly Bakemeier

Before trying to figure out what causes emphysema, it may be prudent to understand what it actually is. Between the two analogous diseases arising out of COPD or the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, emphysema is far more distressing and deadly. The chances of survival in the case of chronic bronchitis, if the proper line of treatment is followed are quite encouraging. But this cannot be said about emphysema.

What Causes Emphysema And How It Is Different From Chronic Bronchitis

If we go into the crux of the matter, we will find that the breathing difficulty in chronic bronchitis emanates from constrictions in the air passage (more like what happens in asthma). And this worsens with excessive cigarette smoke. On the other hand, the breathlessness associated with emphysema is caused due to degeneration of the lung tissue.

Though there are other causes of emphysema such as a genetic predisposition, intravenous drugs, immune deficiencies and others, but the fact remains that, smoking is the main culprit. Smoking is indeed a bad habit as it causes many ailments, and emphysema is one of the major ones. Do keep in mind that in certain cases the disease can become acute and in such instances, immediate medical attention and even hospitalization might be needed. Smoking can also affect a child too because of passive smoking (so you should try to stay away from smokers if you are not a smoker yourself). It is best to quite smoking for your health and for those who are around you.

How Smoking Causes Emphysema

Just a puff or two here and there will not cause any problems, but if you are a regular smoker and if you have been smoking for years, then you should expect trouble. The smoke will get into your chest and cause problems to the lungs. There are also several harmful chemicals in tobacco and these too when inhaled get into your lungs. The collective effect of all this over many years will cause the disease. And thus, in most cases, people who are aged become the victims. But sometimes younger people too suffer from the condition.

It might not be enough if you have kicked the habit at a later stage in your life because the lungs may have been damaged permanently. The symptoms can last for a long time. However, in many cases, curing is possible if the lungs can get some respite for sometime. It is thus best to kick this habit as soon as possible - an early start will give your lungs more time to cope and recover.

What Causes Emphysema - Here Are Some Other Contributors

Even though smoking tops the list of triggers, the fact is, there are quite a few other contributory factors too. This includes long-term exposure to both organic as well inorganic lung irritants like pollens, greenhouse gasses, chemical fumes, fine coal particles floating in the air and many more. Emphysema may present itself due to genetic abnormalities, and this is known as the Alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency syndrome. However this is quite rare.

So here are some other causes...

1. Long-standing untreated chronic bronchitis

2. COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary diseases

3. Exposure to secondary or indirect smoke

4. Airway hyper-responsiveness

5. Air pollution

Knowing what causes emphysema is never enough. Yes this is a good start, but more importantly you have to treat the pain, symptoms and the complications. The fact that it is not contagious should not make you feel relaxed. The good news is, there are natural as well as conventional cures that can at least fight the symptoms.

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.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Revealed---What-Causes-Emphysema-and-Why-Smoking-is-the-1-Culprit&id=4197465] Revealed - What Causes Emphysema and Why Smoking is the #1 Culprit