Question

COPD is generally divided into two distinct disease processes: Chronic bronchitis and emphysema. How are they different? What are complications specific to each one?

Blebs: What are they and why are they bad? What type of COPD are they associated with?

Answer 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease :

It is characterized by air flow limitation that is not fully reversible .

The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the noxious particles or gases , primarily caused by cigarette smoking .

The two types of obstructive airway disease are

1. Emphysema :

Emphysema is an abnormal permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles , accompanied by destruction of their walls and without obvious fibrosis .

Emphysema weakens the alveoli and destroys the elasticity of pulmonary airways .

As a result , the patient suffer from shortness of breath and a constant struggle to breath

Reffered to as pink puffers , infection is less frequent , cough occurs after dyspnea onset , dyspnea is very severe and sputum is mucoid and scanty.

2.chronic bronchitis :

Chronic bronchitis is opposite to emphysema , in this the lungs become inflamed (bronchitis ) .

It commonly affect the wind pipe and passageways of the lungs . This results in severe irritation or infection .

Referred to as blue bloaters , infection is more frequent , cough occurs before dyspnea , dyspnea is mild and sputum is purulent and copious.

Complications :

Emphysema:

Coexisting chronic bronchitis

Rupture of surface bleb with resultant pneumothorax

Interstitial emphysema

Death due to pulmonary failure with respiratory acidosis, hypoxia and coma

Corpulmonale (right sided heart failure due to pulmonary disease)

chronic bronchitis :

Pulmonary hypertension

Cardiac failure

Respiratory failure

Recurrent infections