Singer Winehouse 'has emphysema'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7468655.stm

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Singer Amy Winehouse has the lung disease emphysema, possibly caused by smoking crack cocaine and cigarettes, her father has said.

Mitch Winehouse told the Sunday Mirror his daughter has early stage emphysema and an irregular heartbeat.

"Doctors have told her if she goes back to smoking drugs, it won't just ruin her voice, it will kill her," he said.

Emphysema is a progressive lung condition which leaves sufferers struggling for breath.

"She's got emphysema - it's in its early stages, but had it gone on for another month they painted a very vivid picture of her sitting there like an old person with a mask on her face struggling to breathe," Mr Winehouse said.

"With smoking the crack cocaine and the cigarettes her lungs are all gunked up. There are nodules around the chest and dark marks. She's got 70% lung capacity."

The 24-year-old is due to perform at the Glastonbury Festival and Nelson Mandela concert this weekend.