Emphysema

Emphysema is a form of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder(COPD). It is carachterised by a loss of elasticity in the lungs and severe shortness of breath. There  are two forms of emphysema; familial and non-familial. Familial emphysema is a result of a genetic mutation of a common respiratory protein Alpha-1-antitrypsin (ATT). Non-familial emphysema is more common and is generally caused by smoking. When smoking, noxious particles enter the lungs and irritate the alveoli, they stimulate an increased production of the enzyme elastase, which breaks down elastin; an important structural component of the lung walls. ATT inhibits elastase function however, there is an imbalance of the two proteins when smoking and  in familial emphysema it is defective and cannot stop the break down of elastin. The alveoli are very delicate, one cell thick sacks that allow for efficient gas exchange into the blood stream. When elastin is broken down the alveoli become more susceptible to tearing and scar tissue forms. The scar tisue results in a smaller surface area for gas exchange and the alvoli can not inflate to their full capacity, so the prosses becomes inefficient. The patient therefore is forced to take rapid shallow breaths, and the damage is irreversible so the disease progresses with time.