Whitney Houston Suffering From Emphysema: report

Whitney Houston is suffering from the early stages of emphysema, a deadly lung disease that could kill her if she doesn't stop smoking. This is according to the National Enquirer, which cites her tragic world tour where the singer struggled to complete songs and was panting heavily for air on stage, as examples of the disease taking hold of her body. According to the tabloid, the 47-year-old singer, who's currently in an out-patient drug rehab facility for the third time, smokes like a chimney and leaves the treatment center at nights to party -- well, like a rock star.

In a heartbreaking May 19 incident, Whitney went to to birthday bash for ex-husband Bobby Brown's father at a Beverly Hills restaurant -- and got so drunk her daughter Bobbi (known as Krissi) had to support her. "Whitney couldn't walk without Krissi holding her up as she stumbled out the door," divulged the friend. After the celebration, the sickly singer was up all night, coughing and gasping for breath. "She's developed emphysema -- and her doctors are warning her she'll die a horrible death if she doesn't stop smoking immediately," said the friend.

Source: National Enquirer, June 13, print edition

The report goes on to say that Bobbi Kristina, who has finished her stint in rehab for her addiction to cocaine, is doing her best to save her mother. Which she's tried desperately to do before.

Sidebar: Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs 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 sacs, called alveoli, makes these air sacs unable to hold their functional shape upon exhalation. It is often caused by smoking or long-term exposure to air pollution. Emphysema is an irreversible degenerative condition. The most important measure to slow its progression is for the patient to stop smoking and avoid all exposure to cigarette smoke and lung irritants. Pulmonary rehabilitation can be very helpful to optimize the patient's quality of life and teach the patient how to actively manage his or her care. [via]. According to studies: More than 80% of people with mild emphysema are alive after four years; 60% to 70% of people with moderate emphysema are alive after four years. Among people with severe emphysema, about 50% are alive after four years. People with the worst possible emphysema symptoms (such as inability to walk through the house and severe weight loss) have the shortest emphysema life expectancy. [via]