According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), emphysema affects over 2 million Americans, the majority of whom are 50 years old and over.

A poignant account of how emphysema impacts a person's life was highlighted in this New York Times article:

• Desperate to Cry, Desperate Not to

Emphysema is a slow killer, progressing gradually over a period of many years. The damage done to the lungs with emphysema is irreversible, but if a person stops smoking early on in the disease, it may be possible to arrest further development and improve one's quality of life.

More:

• Emphysema Causes and Symptoms

• Diagnosing Emphysema

• Emphysema Photo Gallery

_{Illustration courtesy of A.D.A.M.}