In 1945, when Allied forces liberated the concentration camps at Dachau, Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen, Auschwitz and elsewhere, the world was shocked at the sight of images of dead bodies alongside half-dead people in these camps.
Emphysema results when the delicate linings of the air sacs in the lungs become damaged beyond repair. Most commonly, the toxins in cigarette smoke create the damage. The lung changes of emphysema evolve slowly over years: 1  As the fragile tissues between air sacs are destroyed, air pockets in the lungs develop. 2  Air becomes trapped in these spaces of damaged lung tissue. 3  The lungs slowly enlarge, and breathing requires more effort.
Having other health problems, such as heart failure or an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) may also trigger a flare-up. In some cases, the cause is not known. Here's what happens during an attack: 1  Your lungs may suddenly produce more mucus.2  Or the airways of your lungs (bronchial tubes) may suddenly get narrower. 3  These two things reduce the airflow in your lungs. 4  And that makes it harder to breathe and makes your coughing worse. Your lungs may suddenly produce more mucus. 2  Or the airways of your lungs (bronchial tubes) may suddenly get narrower. 3  These two things reduce the airflow in your lungs. 4  And that makes it harder to breathe and makes your coughing worse.