Medical Questions » Lungs Questions » Question No. 589
| Question: | My father has emphysema, and is always coughing. Can this be cured? |
| Answer: | No. Emphysema is a permanent form of damage to the lungs caused by smoking or the inhalation of other noxious gases.
The lung is made of millions of tiny bubbles, but if they are chronically i nflamed by cigarette smoke, they break down to larger and larger bubbles. The lung gradually becomes composed of a much smaller number of these large bubbles, rather than the millions of microscopic ones. These have a smaller surface area to absorb the oxygen inside them into the bloodstream. The victim thus becomes starved of oxygen and short of breath.
It is essential for these people to stop smoking to prevent any further lung damage, but they often slowly deteriorate as the lung fails to function.
Medications are available to maximise the efficiency of the lungs, but supplementary oxygen is often required as the years go by.
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