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  • Using oxygen at home - what to ask your doctor

• Related Topics

  • Bronchitis
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Oxygen Therapy
  • Lungs and Breathing

• Go Local

  • Services and providers for Emphysema in the U.S.
  • Select Location AL - Alabama AR - Arkansas AZ - Arizona AZ - Tribal Connections Four Corners CO - Tribal Connections Four Corners DC - District of Columbia DE - Delaware GA - Georgia IA - Iowa IL - Illinois IN - Indiana KS - Kansas LA - Louisiana MA - Massachusetts MD - Maryland MI - Michigan MN - Minnesota MT - Montana NC - North Carolina ND - North Dakota NE - Nebraska NM - New Mexico NM - Tribal Connections Four Corners NV - Nevada OH - Ohio - Southeast OK - Oklahoma OR - Oregon SC - South Carolina TN - Tennessee TX - Central Texas TX - East Texas TX - South Texas TX - Texas Gulf Coast UT - Tribal Connections Four Corners UT - Utah VT - Vermont WY - Wyoming

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• National Institutes of Health

  • The primary NIH organization for research on Emphysema is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have trouble breathing during exercise.

The most common cause is cigarette smoking. If you smoke, quitting can help prevent you from getting the disease. If you already have emphysema, not smoking might keep it from getting worse. Treatment is based on whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. Treatments include inhalers, oxygen, medications and sometimes surgery to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

• Start Here
  • Emphysema(American Lung Association)
  • Emphysema(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)