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Article: EMPHYSEMA TIED CLOSELY TO SMOKING.(LIVING)(Column)
- Article from:
- The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH)
- Article date:
- April 10, 1997
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 The Cincinnati Post. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Dialog LLC by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Q: How does a person get emphysema? Can it be treated and cured?
A: Although some people have a genetic predisposition to get emphysema, the vast majority of cases occur in smokers. Other types of air pollution, including secondhand smoke, can contribute to the disease as well. About 12 million Americans have emphysema, and it is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. Many deaths are caused by pneumonia and heart problems related to emphysema.
Emphysema is a condition in which lung tissue is destroyed and replaced by air spaces within the lungs. The diseased lungs look much like a natural sponge. The surface area of healthy lungs is about the size ...