How can respiratory diseases such as emphysema affect the surface area

Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs in the ling's (alveoli) are damage. Over time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and rupture-creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones. This reduces the surface area of the lungs and, in turn, the amount of oxygen that reaches your bloodstream