Question

Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. What are the differences between these two diseases?

Answer 1

The differences between chronic bronchitis and emphysema are

Chronic bronchitis

Emphysema

Inflammation of the bronchioles and tracheal pathway leading to difficulty in breathing Smoking,weak immunity can cause it Non curable,only symptomatic treatment can be offered A cough with mucus expectorant more than three months is categorised as chronic bronchitis No chest enlargement or barrel shaped Physical examination, auscultation, spirometru can be used in diagnosis Greenish sputum can occur Chest pain ,ankle edema,fever,cyanosis,crackling breath sounds can be heard Bronchodilator,cough expectorant can treat the symptoms

This can damage the respiratory tissues Can be hereditary or due to alpha 1antitrypsin deficiencies It is irreversible Chest x-ray,CT Scan, pulmonary function test,alpha1 antitrypsin levels are used in diagnosis Chest enlargement or barrel chest can be seen No greenish sputum occurs Tachycardia, tachypnea,weight loss ,anxiety can be noted Bronchodilator, corticosteroids, antibiotics to treat infection,lung transplant, lobectomy