The majority of cases of emphysema are directly related to smoking and thus most cases affect smokers or former smokers. The disease emphysema is when the alveoli become damaged, overstretched, and ruptured due to smoking. Alveoli are the tiny air sacs in the lungs. The lungs surface area is significantly reduced as a result of the damaged alveoli merging to form larger but fewer air sacs, thus the gas exchanges within the lungs is less efficient making the lungs become over-inflated and causing shortness of breath for the individual suffering from emphysema. Emphysema is a very serious condition and can be fatal especially combined with chronic bronchitis to form chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which results in obstruction of the airways which cause poor oxygen flow to the lungs.

As almost all cases of emphysema are related to smoking, smoking should be stopped immediately; this will stop further damage to the lungs and preserve the remaining lung function. It is also best to avoid other air born irritants such as pollen, dust, traffic fumes and toxic gases that might irritant the lungs. Try to avoid infections such as colds by eating plenty of foods high in antioxidants such as fruit, berries and vegetables plus take immune boosting supplements such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, extracts of pine bark and grape seed and the amino acid N-actylcysteine.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Emphysema.

Antioxidant complex

Coenzyme Q10

Echinacea

Extracts of grape seed

Extracts of pine bark

Fish Oils

Garlic tablets

L-carnitine

Multivitamins and multiminerals

N-actylcysteine

Selenium

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin E