Symptoms of Emphysema

Emphysema occurs when the structures maintaining the alveoli are destroyed due to the action of A1AD. As a result, the minute airways collapse while undergoing forced exhalation because of a decrease in alveolar collapsibility. This impedes the airflow making the air get trapped within the lungs resulting in shortness of breath and expanded chest on exertion.

Since persons suffering from emphysema do not receive sufficient oxygen, they cannot get rid of the carbon dioxide either resulting in shortness of breath or dypsenia. At first dyspenia occurs in people only during increased physical activity and soon they will be dyspenic the whole time, even when they are in a state of relaxation. Emphysema is also characterized by trouble in coughing, reduced  quantities of sputum, loss of weight and tachypnea or rapid breathing, difficulty of breathing etc.,