CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Leukocytes and macrophages destroy the lungs faster than the body can heal them. In addition, oxidative stress caused by free radicals in cigarette smoke and other irritants to the lungs, leads to destruction of lung cells. In emphysema, the walls between many of the alveoli are destroyed, leading to a few large air sacs instead of many tiny ones. ................
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