Unlike Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema is a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that is a non-inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by the damage to the many tiny air sacs in the lungs. When this occurs, oxygen is reduced in the bloodstream and breathing is difficult. Although cigarette smoking is the leading cause of emphysema, continuous inhalation of other irritants can yield the same. In rare cases, this disease can also be caused by an inherited protein deficiency. The symptoms of Emphysema are similar to those for Chronic Bronchitis such as shortness of breath, irregularly fast rate, a lowered oxygen level in the blood.