Emphysema is a progressive lung disease that causes shortness of breath. It is caused because of inflammation of the alveoli. Some symptoms include being so short of breath that you cant walk up the stairs. Your nails turn purple and your not mentally alert.
What is it caused by?
Emphysema is mainly caused by smoking, or breathing in pollution. When you smoke or are exposed to the pollution, the tar hurts your aveoli, and makes the walls really weak causing loss of breath. The alveoli eventually explode and make it almost impossible to breath.
How can I prevent it?
Emphysema can't be cured but you can prevent it by trying not to breath any type of pollution or tar- (smoking cigarettes, marijuana, or other substances)