Final answer:
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that leads to the destruction of alveoli, mainly due to smoking, resulting in reduced gas exchange and difficulty in breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease that destroys alveoli is called emphysema. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease, usually caused by smoking, in which the walls of the alveoli break down, leading to less gas exchange in the lungs. This disease is characterized by damage to the alveoli, which reduces their number and elasticity, making it difficult to fully exhale air from the lungs. The main cause of emphysema is tobacco smoking, which leads to the breakdown of connective tissues within the lungs. In advanced stages of emphysema, the damage to the alveoli is irreversible, and symptoms include shortness of breath, a chronic cough, and wheezing, especially during expiration.