Does anyone know what the symptoms of Emphezema are?!

Does anyone know what the symptoms of Emphezema are?

I have smoked cigarettes for 30 years. I have been having trouble breathing, and I have this odd sounding sneeze that comes from my throat instead of my nose. My doctor says it is Emphezema, but I think I should get another opinion. Does anyone know anything about this disease? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Symptoms of Emphysema:
Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of emphysema. Cough, sometimes caused by the production of mucus, and wheezing may also be symptoms of emphysema. You may notice that your tolerance for exercise decreases over time. Emphysema usually develops slowly. You may not have any acute episodes of shortness of breath. Slow deterioration is the rule, and it may go unnoticed. This is especially the case if you are a smoker or have other medical problems that limit your ability to exercise.

One of the hallmark signs of emphysema is "purse-lipped breathing." The person with emphysema is struggling to exhale completely, with airways that close when the chest wall collapses during expiration. They purse the lips, leaving only a small opening. Then, when they exhale, the lips block the flow of air, increasing pressure in the collapsed airways, and opening them, allowing the person to fully exhale.

People with emphysema may develop a "barrel chest," where the distance from the chest to the back, which is normally less than the distance side to side, becomes more pronounced. This is a direct result of air becoming trapped behind obstructed airways.

Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lung that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the lung tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lung are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (pulmonary refers to the lungs). Emphysema is called an obstructive lung disease because the destruction of lung tissue around smaller airways, called bronchioles, makes these airways unable to hold their shape properly when you exhale.

Click the below links for more in depth detail. Best wishes to you.
My father has emphysema and quit smoking three years ago, after he ended up in the hospital doing breathing treatments and felt miserable. After the doctors told him he may end on oxygen therapy for the rest of his life, it scared him to death and he quit cold turkey. It was tough for him, but he is managing very well at this time. He does use inhalers from time to time, but he is doing well now. He is 65 and had smoked ever since he was a teenager. You should do everything in your power to quit smoking quickly.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/emphy...