Emphysema

Emphysema is a debilitating disease that afflicts more than three million Americans. The disease is caused primarily by smoking and leads to a progressive, irreversible breakdown of lung tissue.

Emphysema Pathophysiology, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Emphysema is a chronic or long term lung disease. This disease is typically called hyperinflation.

Emphysema Pathology and Function

Latest Emphysema News and Research

Women face higher risk of COPD even without smoking history

Women' are around 50% more likely than men to develop COPD, the umbrella term for chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema and bronchitis, even if they have never smoked or smoked much less than their male counterparts, suggests observational research, published in the open access journal BMJ Open Respiratory Research.

8 May 2025

Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation proves to be safe and effective for COPD patients

Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation is a safe, effective alternative to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation programs for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who also require supplemental oxygen, according to a new report.

1 May 2025

Perceived stress linked to worsened symptoms in COPD patients

Increased perceived stress may cause worsened respiratory symptoms and decreased quality of life in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

29 Apr 2025

Northwestern study shows health benefits of zero-emission vehicles for Chicago

Guided by the lived experiences of community partners, Northwestern University scientists have simulated the effects of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption on future air quality for the greater Chicago area.

18 Mar 2025

Study shows impact of statins and aspirin on muscle health in smokers

For current and former smokers, statins may reduce the amount of chest muscle loss, while aspirin may contribute to increased chest muscle loss, according to a new study.

13 Mar 2025

Arthritis and COPD together raise mortality risk

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis have a higher risk of death than people with arthritis who do not have COPD, according to a new study.

11 Mar 2025

Mental health disorders are often overlooked in COPD patients

Mental health disorders in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to worsened symptoms and decreased quality of life, according to a new study.

6 Mar 2025

LVRS may outperform EBV in patients with severe emphysema

As contemporary surgical practice continues to evolve, patients who undergo surgical lung volume reduction (LVRS) for advanced emphysema may survive longer and with fewer complications than they did in the past-and they may even fare better than those who opt for endobronchial valve (EBV) placement.

27 Jan 2025

CDC report reveals COPD as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Chronic lower respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

21 Jan 2025

The impact of fall-risk medications on injuries in COPD patients

People with COPD experience more falls and related injuries requiring medical care when using common fall-risk increasing drugs, according to a new study. The study is published in the November 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.

15 Jan 2025

Women experience higher waiting-list mortality in lung transplantation

Research highlights gender-based disparities in lung transplantation, showing women face longer wait times yet achieve better post-transplant survival outcomes.

13 Jan 2025

Addressing COPD and metabolic syndrome requires comprehensive research efforts

Additional research addressing the connection between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome is needed to improve holistic patient care, according to a new editorial.

9 Jan 2025

Smoking before age 15 linked to higher COPD risk

Childhood smoking before age 15 increases a person's risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

7 Jan 2025

Switching to e-cigarettes may ease respiratory symptoms, offering hope for smokers

The study indicates that e-cigarettes might reduce smoking-related respiratory symptoms, yet further research is essential to understand long-term effects.

3 Jan 2025

COPD patients' perspectives should guide development of new therapies

The perspectives and priorities of people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be integrated into the development process of new therapies for COPD, according to a new commentary.

4 Dec 2024

Nanomedicine using gas bubbles offers hope for lung cancer treatment

The delivery of nanomedicines using gas bubbles has shown itself to be a unique way of transporting cytotoxins to the lungs of cancer patients.

22 Nov 2024

AI used to predict COPD flare ups from urine samples

Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse patient urine samples and predict when symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will flare up according to a study published today (Wednesday) in ERJ Open Research.

20 Nov 2024

Study focuses on COPD progression in younger populations

Researchers are exploring how small airway abnormalities in younger smokers could help identify who is at risk of developing COPD and establish how the chronic lung disease progresses, according to a new article.

15 Nov 2024

New approach to COPD focuses on socioeconomic factors and comorbidities

Health care providers treating people with COPD also need to focus on the person's socioeconomic factors, along with considering their additional health conditions or comorbidities, according to a new article.

7 Nov 2024

Mountain town confronts an unexpected public health catastrophe

Before Hurricane Helene, had you stopped by one of the many breweries, art galleries, or award-winning restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina, and spoken with anyone who lives in these parts — including me — most would have told you they felt pretty safe from climate disasters.

18 Oct 2024