s the lung. According to the American Lung Association, this is what happens when someone is suffering from emphysema. The reasons why this chemical balance might occur are numerous. The majority of emphysema cases are related to smoking, specifically eighty two percent. Emphysema occurs as a gradual process that is due not only to cigarette smoke, but great exposure to other types of polluted air as well. Often times, irritating fumes and dust can be responsible for the disease. Most people are exposed to these toxic fumes through their work environment or if they spend a lot of time partaking in outside activities. Inherited defects also make a small contribution to the great number of emphysema cases. These defects can be caused an inherited lack of a protective protein called alpha 1-antitrysin. If this occurs, it can lead to a rare form of emphysema called alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency-related emphysema. Prevention Factors and Behaviors: My last birthday was sad for me. I made a wish and tried to blow out the candles but I could not do it. Emphysema has taken away my ability to hope that a dream might come true. Sharon Adkins says this in a letter about how cigarettes have affected her life. Sharon is just one out of the 16-30 million Americans afflicted with emphysema. There is hope for people like Sharon. It is a treatable disease, but unfortunately not curable. The single most important factor for maintaining healthy lungs is to stop smoking. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are various tests used to determine several characteristics and capabilities of your lungs. Your tests results are compared to values considered healthy for your age, height, weight, gender, and race. These tests will determine the amount of air your lungs can hold, how quickly you move the air in and out, and how well your lungs can transfer oxygen from the air into your blood.Control: Emphysema cannot be controlled when it comes to gen...
