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Emphysema - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Emphysema : (noun)
1: an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased
respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic
bronchitis or old age [syn: pulmonary emphysema]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Emphysema : \Em`phy*se"ma\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? inflation, fr. ?
to inflate; ? in _ ? to blow: cf. F. emphys[`e]me.] (Med.)
A swelling produced by gas or air diffused in the cellular
tissue.
Emphysema of the lungs, Pulmonary emphysema (Med.), a
common disease of the lungs in which the air cells are
distended and their partition walls ruptured by an
abnormal pressure of the air contained in them.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Emphysema : Emphysema: 1) A lung condition featuring an abnormal accumulation of air in the lung's many tiny air sacs, a tissue called alveoli. As air continues to collect in these sacs, they become
enlarged, and may break, or be damaged and form scar tissue. Emphysema is strongly associated with smoking cigarettes, a practice that causes lung irritation. It can also be associated with or worsened
by repeated infection of the lungs, such as is seen in chronic bronchitis. The best response to the early warning signs of emphysema is prevention: stop smoking and get immediate treatment for
incipient lung infections. Curing established emphysema is not yet possible. Because patients don't have an adequate amount of space in the lungs to breathe, they gasp for breath, and may not be able
to obtain enough oxygen. Those with severe emphysema usually end up using an oxygen machine to breathe. In some cases, medication may be helpful to ease symptoms or to treat infection in
already-damaged lungs.
2) The escape of air into other body tissues, as may occur during surgery. This is called surgical emphysema.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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