Emphysema Doesn’t Happen Fast, Either

 

Just like chronic bronchitis, emphysema doesn’t come on quickly, either.  This is a condition that develops and worsens over time.  Usually, it happens very slowly, too, giving you the time that you need to improve your condition by seeking medical attention, although most will not do so until it is much too late to get that help.

 

Usually, emphysema is brought on by the exposure to cigarette smoke.  IT can take years to develop into this level of severity and usually during that time, you are being exposed to cigarette smoke either as the smoker or even as a second hand smoker.

 

Most of those diagnosised, some 90 percent, are over the age of 45.  Most of them are males, up to 55 percent, but both sexes are faced with the risk of emphysema is they are smokers or live in an area where smoking is commonly breathed in.

 

If you have emphysema, you will have the cough that we’ve talked about as well as shortness of breath, and the inability to exercise.  Your doctor will consider your current condition, your pulmonary function test results as well as x-rays to determine your condition.