Emphysema is not hereditary. It usually results from smoking or exposure to other harmful lung irritants. However, a rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) passed down in ...

Emphysema happens when the small air sacs in your lungs become damaged. There are three types of emphysema, which are categorized based on the appearance of lung damage as seen on imaging. Emphysema ...

Emphysema falls under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are three main types of emphysema, and these differ according to which distinct lung parts, or lobules, they ...

With emphysema, you can have symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Your symptoms can worsen after exposure to lung irritants, such as tobacco from smoking.