This section contains 1,700 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
Definition
Emphysema is a respiratory disorder characterized by problems in breathing. The disorder is caused by the enlargement of air sacs in the lungs.
Description
Emphysema is the most common cause of death from respiratory disease in the United States. It is generally caused by heavy cigarette smoking. In a small number of cases, it is caused by an inherited defect.
Emphysema is most common among people over the age of fifty. In the late 1990s, males are considered more likely to develop the disorder than females. However, that pattern is changing. The number of women who smoke is increasing rapidly. As this number continues to increase, the number of women who die of emphysema will also increase. In 1999, there were around two million people in the United States with emphysema.
Causes
When a person inhales, air travels into the nose and mouth. The air then moves downward...
This section contains 1,700 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |