What Causes Emphysema?

The lungs are vital organs. When lung function is impaired, individuals often experience significant discomfort—such as chest tightness and shortness of breath—which can substantially affect daily work and life. Currently, pulmonary disorders—including lung cancer and emphysema—are relatively common. Yet many people lack a clear understanding of emphysema. So, what causes emphysema?

What Causes Emphysema?

Emphysema results from abnormal overinflation of the lungs. This overinflation increases residual gas volume in the lungs, thereby reducing pulmonary elasticity. Its exact etiology remains incompletely understood; however, emphysema is widely regarded as the consequence of long-term interactions among multiple environmental and intrinsic factors. Smoking is the most critical environmental risk factor: it induces bronchial smooth muscle constriction, increases airway resistance, enhances oxygen free radical production, damages elastic fibers in lung tissue, and ultimately promotes the development of emphysema.

Emphysema is a common clinical condition. Its onset is typically associated with prolonged smoking or chronic exposure to smoky, polluted environments. Under these conditions, inflammation of the pulmonary terminal bronchioles may develop, leading to narrowing or obstruction of their lumens. During inhalation, air enters the bronchioles; however, due to lumen narrowing, exhalation becomes impeded, resulting in air trapping, excessive gas accumulation, bronchiolar dilation, and eventually emphysema.

In daily life, patients should maintain a positive mindset, actively cooperate with physicians during treatment, take prescribed medications consistently and as directed, and pay close attention to routine self-care—thereby facilitating timely clinical improvement. We hope this information proves helpful.