What are the causes or risk factors for emphysema?
• The main cause of emphysema is smoking, which activates inflammatory cells in the lung. This inflammation causes; 1) swelling within the bronchioles, and 2) activation of enzymes called proteases which attack and destroy lung tissue (the alveolar wall structures). • There is a genetic predisposition to emphysema. The relatively rare condition known as alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is the genetic deficiency of a chemical that protects the lung from damage by proteases. • Emphysema is also a component of aging. As the lungs get older, the elastic properties decrease, and the tensions that develop can result in small areas of emphysema. Other less common causes of emphysema include: • Intravenous drug use in which some of the non-drug additives like corn starch can be toxic to lung tissue • Immune deficiencies in which infections like Pneumocystis carinii can cause inflammatory changes in the lung • Connective tissue illnesses (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Marfan syndrome) in which abnormal
