1 year, 3 months ago
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What happens to the alveoli in the medical condition called emphysema?
Is there a destruction of the walls of the terminal bronchioles? Why is there a decrease of the surface area available for gas exchange in the lungs?
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Emphysema occurs when the lungs become "brittle". The alveoli, pleura, and walls of the lungs lose their elasticity; normally this occurs due to smoking for a long period of time. There is no actual deterioration of the bronchi or any other part of the lungs, they simply lose their function. When the lungs and their various parts lose elasticity they can't expand and contract properly. This leads to shortness of breath and fatigue.
When the lungs expand and contract they are doing the gas exchange, since they can't do that it results in less oxygen in the body. Emphysema is an irreversible condition that will often lead to death at a much younger age. The body becomes unable to continue working without enough oxygen. Essentially emphysema eventually causes the body to suffocate.
When the lungs expand and contract they are doing the gas exchange, since they can't do that it results in less oxygen in the body. Emphysema is an irreversible condition that will often lead to death at a much younger age. The body becomes unable to continue working without enough oxygen. Essentially emphysema eventually causes the body to suffocate.
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