<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.Hello. I m 31 years of age and my allergist just told me I had a touch of emphysema. I m very scared and not sure what that means. I have had asthma and allergies all my life. I was always on medication for my asthma sometimes tho I wouldn t take it cuz I felt finae but I m learning that was a mistake. Also I did smoke for about 15 years.I  <response>: Dear Concerned., Thanks for writing to us. Chronic Asthmaobstructiverestrictive Airway disease produces permanent dilatation and destruction of the alveolibronchiolesterminal bronchi thereby reducing the overall surface area of the lungs available for effective exchange of gases at the level of alveoli. The condition is termed as Emphysema. This can be easily made out by a doctor by looking at the chest itself whose anteroposterior diameter is more than the transverse diameter. Have you done all the routine investigations Blood counts including eosinophil absoluteblood chemistryurinalysis, chest X-ray PA view and lateralPulmonary function tests1The only solution is to stop further deterioration by immediately quitting smoking without a second thought.2Use bronchodilator inhalers and locally acting short-acting steroidalEg-Budesonidefluticazone inhalers.3In an acute attack pls get hospitalized and nebulized with above medications.4Mast cell Stabilizers such as Sodium Chromoglycate inhalers are also available. It is very useful for prevention of acute attacks.5 In addition breathing exercises will help.6Avoid dust and house dust mite keep your residence dust free. Avoid vehicular emissions. 7In addition Desensitization by identifying a particular allergen can be done by an Immunologist. If the repeated attacks are not prevented premature onset of right heart failure may set in due to pulmonary hypertension. In addition, pls be under the follow-up care of a pulmonologist to avoid treat acute episodes and by following these steps the further attacks of Asthma and deterioration of Emphysema can be checked. Wishing you a speedy recovery., Best regards., Chat Doctor. 