Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs are damaged. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones.
You can have emphysema for many years without noticing any signs or symptoms. The main symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath, which usually begins gradually. You may start avoiding activities that cause you to be short of breath, so the symptom doesn’t become a problem until it starts interfering with daily tasks. Emphysema eventually causes shortness of breath even while you’re at rest. Emphysema is a progressive disease, which means it continues to get worse.
The major cause of emphysema is smoking cigarettes and marijuana, also longtime exposure to dust or chemical fumes and aging. Regardless of the cause, lung damage in emphysema cannot be reversed.
Emphysema patients may develop pneumothorax, heart problems and bullae.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Emphysema and you would like a second opinion on an Xray or CT by a board certified radiologist please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Autoimmune diseases are any conditions that cause the immune system to believe that the body’s tissues are foreign pathogens, and as such, attack the tissues. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other disorders. The most distinctive sign of lupus, a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks, occurs in many but not all cases of lupus. Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there’s no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.