Rumors began circulating yesterday that the international recording diva was battling emphysema and we told you that we would keep you posted on whether or not this was true. We have the news!

The rumored diagnosis of Whitney Houston with emphysema proves that anyone can contract the disease. Emphysema is a long-lasting (chronic) disease of the lungs associated with breathlessness, chronic cough, excessive sputum and progressive loss of use of lung function.