Major causes of emphysema is

Trends in COPD Mortality by Sex and Race/Ethnicity Total Total Population Male Female White Black Other Hispanic Year Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate 1999 119,524 43.7 60,795 57.4 58,729 35.7 108,609 47.0 6,706 29.9 1,329 19.8 2,539 21.6 2000 117,522 42.6 58,372 54.5 59,150 35.6 107,065 45.9 6,383 28.0 1,351 19.2 2,397 19.5 2001 118,744 42.3 58,218 53.1 60,526 35.9 108,036 45.9 6,412 27.7 1,415 18.7 2,558 19.5 2002 120,555 42.4 59,133 53.1 61,422 36.0 109,408 46.0 6,647 28.4 1,419 17.6 2,771 20.1 2003 122,283 42.3 59,221 51.9 63,062 36.5 110,952 46.1 6,613 27.6 1,545 18.2 2,875 19.9 2004 118,171 40.3 57,260 49.2 60,911 34.9 107,293 44.2 6,330 25.9 1,503 16.9 2,826 18.5 2005 127,049 42.6 61,120 51.2 65,929 37.2 114,862 46.7 7,134 28.5 1,631 17.2 3,209 19.9 2006 120,970 39.8 57,964 47.5 63,006 35.1 109,313 43.8 6,714 26.2 1,665 16.6 3,053 18.0 2007 124,477 40.2 59,961 47.9 64,516 35.3 112,329 44.4 6,937 26.5 1,744 16.4 3,292 18.4 2008 137,693 43.6 65,936 51.5 71,757 38.6 124,076 48.2 7,787 29.0 1,917 17.1 3,678 19.5 2009 133,965 41.6 63,899 48.6 70,066 37.1 120,593 46.2 7,539 27.1 1,887 16.1 3,724 18.8 2010 134,676 41.1 64,140 47.9 70,536 36.8 120,805 45.8 7,752 27.2 1,982 16.2 3,880 18.6 2011 139,598 41.5 66,259 47.8 73,339 37.4 125,012 46.4 8,095 27.5 2,147 16.2 4,111 18.3 2012 139,958 40.5 66,316 46.3 73,642 36.7 124,957 45.4 8,316 27.2 2,153 15.0 4,200 17.7 2013 145,575 41.1 68,907 46.6 76,668 37.4 129,567 46.2 8,825 27...

There are two main types of COPD: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. However, these conditions are not the same as COPD. For instance, someone diagnosed with COPD may not have emphysema. However, many people with COPD have one or both conditions. How Common Is Emphysema? About 40 out of 1,000 people in the United States are estimated to have emphysema. Between 2014 and 2017, the number of people with COPD was stable. However, diagnoses began to increase in 2018. Emphysema by Ethnicity The rates of emphysema are higher in non-Hispanic White people than in all other ethnic groups. The reasons for this are not well understood, and studies are ongoing. Researchers think it could be due to differences in access to care, smoking patterns. or vulnerability to disease in certain populations. • Cigarette smoke: Almost 75% of those diagnosed with emphysema currently smoke or have smoked in the past. • Exposure to lung irritants: This includes secondhand smoke, air pollution (tree pollen, car emissions, smog), and fumes from factories or workplaces that handle chemicals. • Age: Most people diagnosed with emphysema are over 40 years old. • Genetics: Some people are born with a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT). AAT is a protein made by the liver that protects the lungs. In this condition, the proteins are shaped differently, get stuck in the liver, and do not get to the lungs. What Are the Mortality Rates for Emphysema? The mortality rate (the rate of death)...

Highly sensitive CT scans can detect atypical air sacs, assess lung tissue loss, and pinpoint changes in lung density — key indicators of emphysema. Emphysema, a severe lung condition involving a loss of elasticity in the air sacs in the lungs, can be challenging to identify through physical exams and X-rays alone. But modern medical technology offers a powerful diagnostic tool: CT scans. By utilizing X-rays and advanced computer processing, CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images that can unveil crucial information about the lungs. Yes, doctors can detect CT scans can show emphysema-related structural changes in the lungs, such as enlarged air sacs, thinning lung tissue, and areas of lung damage. Types of CT scans Doctors can use several types of CT scans to examine emphysema, including the following: • High resolution CT (HRCT): HRCT is the most commonly used CT scan for evaluating emphysema, as it provides detailed images of lung structures with high spatial resolution. • Low dose CT (LDCT): LDCT is a CT scan that uses a lower radiation dose than conventional CT scans. It can be an effective method for identifying emphysema in its early stages. • Quantitative CT (QCT): QCT scans analyze lung tissue density to measure emphysema’s extent and severity. They provide detailed information about the disease and can help monitor its • Dual-energy CT (DECT): DECT uses two X-ray energy levels to create CT images. It can provide additional tissue composition information a...