Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that progressively worsens over time. The air sacs in the lungs are damaged and over time the inner walls of the air sacs weaken, losing their shape.

As the damage continues over time, it can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones that are required for the lungs to move oxygen into the body and carbon monoxide out of the body. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream, making it hard to breathe.

According to WebMD, emphysema and other forms of COPD affect over 24 million people in the United States alone. The individuals who are most likely to suffer from this chronic condition are smokers, those that have been exposed to lung irritants such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes for a prolonged amount of time, and genetics.

The most common symptoms of emphysema are frequent coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath even in normal daily activities and a lack of cognitive awareness. It is common for those who suffer from the disease to get frequent respiratory infections such as the cold or the flu.

It the most severe cases, emphysema can cause collapsed lungs, heart problems, weakness in the lower muscles, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, and some weight loss.

Although there is no cure for emphysema, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and to improve one’s quality of life. Most medical doctors recommend medicines, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and sometimes, even surgery for the most severe cases.

Salt therapy is a drug-free way that helps improve the function of the lungs. The dry salt particles absorb the edema from the mucosa lining in the airway passages, which allows them to widen and become less inflamed. This unclogs the blockages in the airways, making it easier to breathe. It also reduces infection in the lungs by destroying the bacteria and germs that reside there, reducing the amount of times those afflicted with the disease fall ill to the flu or colds.

It is important to note that Salt Therapy is a natural supplemental way to help alleviate symptoms but does not cure any condition or disease.