What is a common symptom of emphysema?

Loss of elasticity in the lungs is a fundamental characteristic of emphysema, which is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emphysema results from damage to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. This damage leads to a breakdown of the lung tissue, causing the walls of the alveoli to become less elastic. As a result, the lungs cannot expand and contract efficiently, which hampers airflow and makes it difficult for individuals to breathe, particularly during exercise or exertion.

In contrast, excessive coughing with productive sputum, severe fever and chills, and allergic reactions in the throat are not primary symptoms associated with emphysema. Excessive coughing with sputum may relate more to conditions like chronic bronchitis, while severe fever and chills are more indicative of infections such as pneumonia. Allergic reactions usually involve other respiratory or gastrointestinal responses that do not align with the primary pathophysiology of emphysema. Thus, the hallmark symptom of loss of elasticity directly reflects the essence of the disease.