I have now been smoke-free for over two years. Recently, I underwent several medical tests, and the positive outcome is that, apart from emphysema, I am in excellent health,” he shared. “I am filled with joy, and I have no plans to retire,” he continued. “I want to express my gratitude for all your care and concern.”
In November 2024, Lynch candidly discussed his health condition during an interview with People magazine. He disclosed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema in 2020, and although dealing with the lung disease posed challenges, he was striving to maintain a positive outlook.
“I struggle to move even across a room. It feels like I am constantly suffocating with a plastic bag over my head,” Lynch described, mentioning that he relied on supplemental oxygen for various daily activities.
Lynch traced back his smoking habit to his childhood, starting at the age of eight while growing up in rural Idaho and Washington. Despite numerous attempts to quit, he would often relapse when faced with difficulties. “Whenever things got tough, I would reach for a cigarette, and the cycle would repeat,” he admitted.
Even after receiving the emphysema diagnosis in 2020, Lynch grappled with quitting smoking for an additional two years before making the definitive decision to kick the habit for good. “I saw the warning signs clear as day, indicating that if I didn’t stop, I would be facing death within a week,” shared Lynch, a father of four. “Breathing was a struggle, and quitting became my only option.”
Encouraging fellow smokers to consider quitting, Lynch emphasized the importance of breaking free from the deadly habit. “I want to stress this point: Reflect on it. You have the power to quit something that is ultimately detrimental to your health,” he urged.
What is emphysema?
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition characterized by breathlessness, as detailed by the Mayo Clinic. Over time, the ailment impairs the delicate walls of the air sacs in the lungs, known as alveoli, hindering their ability to expand and fill with air during breathing. This damage makes it challenging for air to exit the lungs.
While treatment can alleviate symptoms of emphysema, typically caused by smoking, it cannot reverse the damage inflicted upon the lungs.
Symptoms of emphysema
Common signs of emphysema encompass:
– Shortness of breath, particularly with physical exertion
– Wheezing and unusual respiratory sounds
– Persistent coughing
– Chest tightness or pressure
– Fatigue
– Weight loss and swelling in the ankles, which may manifest as the condition progresses.
This piece was originally featured on TODAY.com.
