Some people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—especially those with emphysema—may be underweight and malnourished. People with COPD often lose weight.

Why do emphysema patients lose weight?

When your lungs don't work as well as they should, your body has to work harder to breathe. This can cause you to burn up to 10 times more calories than usual. COPD and its symptoms of shortness of breath and a chronic cough can lead to a decreased appetite, eventual weight loss, and even cachexia.

Does emphysema cause loss of appetite?

This condition occurs due to low blood oxygen levels in the more advanced stages of emphysema. Malnutrition and cachexia – Loss of appetite and weight loss that occurs in advanced emphysema may eventually lead to malnutrition and cachexia, a condition that causes the muscles to slowly waste away.