Starting emphysema treatment in the earliest (mild) stage, when you may have a nagging cough and increased mucus production, may help you maintain a better quality of life for a longer period of time.

Emphysema causes a chronic, hacking cough that’s often accompanied by shortness of breath and a tightness in the chest. Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that causes ...