Emphysema is the most feared condition that causes pneumothorax, respiratory failure, heart failure and even sudden death. Emphysema is more common in the elderly who have been smoking for a long time. Due to the poor resistance of the elderly, when the upper respiratory tract infection occurs after being exposed to cold, it is very easy to aggravate the patient’s condition suddenly, and then respiratory difficulty or even respiratory failure occurs, and the organs of the whole body will have various secondary symptoms under the circumstance of insufficient supply of oxygen at this time. Due to the fusion and expansion of the alveoli, the alveolar wall of emphysema is very weak, and may rupture when there is light or heavy coughing, or when there is exercise, and then there is a pneumothorax; long-term emphysema may also lead to cardiac problems, and acute cardiac failure and other serious conditions may occur under the triggering factors of upper respiratory tract infections and other triggering factors. Patients with emphysema should avoid catching colds, exercise appropriately, and consult a doctor when discomfort occurs.