How can smokeing lead to emphysema?

Answer 1

Smoking damages the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, causing inflammation and impairing their ability to function properly. The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke break down elastin, a protein that helps maintain the structure and elasticity of lung tissue. Over time, this damage leads to the destruction of alveoli, reducing the lung's capacity to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, ultimately resulting in emphysema. Chronic exposure to smoke exacerbates these effects, making it a primary risk factor for developing the disease.