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Emphysema: meaning, definitions and examples

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emphysema

 

[ ˌɛm.fɪˈziː.mə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Emphysema is a progressive lung disease that primarily causes shortness of breath. It occurs when the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged, leading to difficulty in breathing. It is commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), often caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke.

Synonyms

lung condition, pulmonary disease

Examples of usage

  • Emphysema can severely affect a person's quality of life.
  • Patients with emphysema often experience chronic cough.
  • Smoking is a major risk factor for developing emphysema.
  • Treatment for emphysema may include medications and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Translations

Translations of the word "emphysema" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enfisema

🇮🇳 फेफड़ों में वायु का भराव

🇩🇪 Lungenemphysem

🇮🇩 emfisema

🇺🇦 емфізема

🇵🇱 rozedma płuc

🇯🇵 肺気腫

🇫🇷 emphysème

🇪🇸 enfisema

🇹🇷 amfizem

🇰🇷 폐기종

🇸🇦 انتفاخ الرئة

🇨🇿 plicní emfyzém

🇸🇰 plicný emfyzém

🇨🇳 肺气肿

🇸🇮 pljučni emfizem

🇮🇸 lungnaemfysema

🇰🇿 өкпе эмфиземасы

🇬🇪 ფეიფლების ემფიზემა

🇦🇿 ağciyər emfizemi

🇲🇽 enfisema

Etymology

The term 'emphysema' originates from the late Latin word 'emphysema', which itself comes from the Greek word 'emphysan', meaning 'to inflate'. The word entered medical terminology in the 17th century to describe conditions of the lungs characterized by excessive air or gas. Historically, emphysema was understood in relation to various lung diseases, and its classification evolved alongside advances in medical knowledge. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphysema was recognized as part of a broader category of chronic lung diseases, contributing to a growing understanding of respiratory health. The association of emphysema with smoking and air pollution has become more prominent in recent decades, leading to a greater focus on preventive measures and public health awareness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,313, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.