Serious Symptoms Of Emphysema

Frequent Lung Infections

Lung infections develop when a foreign pathogen enters the lung tissues and is allowed to colonize and thrive in those tissues. The pathogenic invasion of the lung tissues induces a response by the immune system, which produces many of the symptoms associated with lung infections. An emphysema patient has lungs that are already compromised both structurally and functionally. Emphysema causes the lungs to decrease in surface area and develop large openings where old air can become trapped. When a foreign body or pathogen enters an affected individual's lungs, it has a greater chance of causing an infection because it may become trapped as well. Individuals who have emphysema are unable to expel foreign particles and pathogens the same way as a healthy individual because of their lung damage. This mechanism provides the opportunity for lung infections to develop frequently.

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