Emphysema: chronic lung disease characterized by difficulty in exhaling. Smoking is the main cause of emphysema though reasons are not known; alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a minor cause of emphysema. The fragile tissue between air sacs is destroyed and air pockets develop in the lung which makes breathing difficult. It cannot be cured but quitting smoking can reduce the disease progression.

Emphysema: chronic lung disease characterized by difficulty in exhaling. Smoking is the main cause of emphysema though reasons are not known; alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a minor cause of emphysema. The fragile tissue between air sacs is destroyed and air pockets develop in the lung which makes breathing difficult. It cannot be cured but quitting smoking can reduce the disease progression.

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