1. Kymberly Mayfield 3-30-12 5 th Hour

2.  Emphysema is a disease of the lungs that causes destruction to the tissues around alveoli.

3.  Smoking tobacco  Long term exposure to air pollution  Breathing in toxins or chemicals

4.  It enlarges and damages alveoli which makes exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide difficult, resulting in the lowering of oxygen levels.  The enlargement takes up more space in the lungs that is necessary for other parts to use.  Of course your body will attempt to cure itself, and it partly will, but not enough for the condition to be cured completely.

5.  Because emphysema is an irreversible degenerative condition, the only known ‘cure’ is a lung transplant.  There are treatments that help make emphysema bearable though: -Anticholinergics-Supplemental Oxygen -Bronchodilators -Steroid Medication