Emphysema

Emphysema

Millions of tiny air sacs known as alveoli make up much of the tissue of the lungs. When filled with air, oxygen and carbon dioxide pass through the thin walls of the sacs to and from the blood vessels that surround them.

Heavy smoking can damage these walls, causing the sacs to burst and blend into fewer, larger sacs containing more fibrous tissue. The lungs have to work harder because there is less surface area for gases
to pass through.

Lung tissues also lose elasticity, further decreasing their efficiency, as the balloon and piston analogy below illustrates.

In emphysema, loose, flabby tissue does little to help pull or push air.
Normal lung tissue is elastic and helps pull air into and push air out of the lungs.

LABELS:
Normal
Emphysema
Alveoli
Inspiration
Expiration
Inspiration
Expiration

Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd

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Acupressure for emphysema sufferers
Here are lists of acupressure points for Asthma, Breath control, Labored breathing, Bronchitis, Chest, Lungs, Pneumonia, Respiratory illness, Shortness of breath, Smoking cessation on PointFinder.org.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.

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