Question

explaind the physiological changes characteristic of COPD

Answer 1

The physiological changes characteristic of COPD

• Mucous hypersecretion & ciliary malfunctioning
• Airflow blockage & hyperinflation
• Gas exchange irregularities
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Systemic outcomes. ​

Mucous hypersecretion & ciliary malfunctioning

Mucous hypersecretion ends in a persistent rich cough, which is representative of chronic bronchitis. Every client with COPD may not have significant mucous hypersecretion but those who have is by the continuous inflammation by harmful particles and gases due to squamous metaplasia, goblet cells progression etc. Ciliary malfunctioning happens also by squamous metaplasia of epithelia leading to unusual mucociliary incline.

Airflow blockage & hyperinflation

It occurs in the mean conducting airways less than 2 mm and is due to the swelling and contraction of the small airways, failure of the lung flexible recoil, and damage of the alveolar aid.

Gas exchange irregularities

It occurs by presenting arterial hypoxaemia. An unusual combination of ventilation:perfusion proportions is the principal process for abnormal gas shift.

Pulmonary hypertension

Fundamental changes in the pulmonary arterioles leads to tenacious pulmonary hypertension & cor pulmonale.

Systemic outcomes

Inflammations of each system and skeletal muscle wasting would give rise to restriction of the exercise potential of clients & worsen the forecast of disease, regardless of the quantity of airflow hindrance. Example, Secondary polycythemia, Osteoporosis etc.