In: Nursing
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive lung disease characterized by emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both these diseases are common in COPD.
Bronchitis results in narrowing of respiratory tubules causing mucus build up and emphysema slowly destroys the functional unit of lungs, alveoli.
Due to decreased elasticity of the alveoli in COPD , there is obstruction to the air flow . The time taken to empty the air from lungs is delayed and the air remains in the alveoli causing EELV( End expiratory lung volume) to decline resulting in hyperinflation.
End expiratory lung volume is increased than Functional Residual Capacity(FRC) in patients with severe airflow obstruction.
PEEP ( poisitive end expiratory pressure) is affected which means expiratory time, resistance and compliance is affected due to delayed lung emptying and the next inspiratory effort is interrupted due to volume present of air left in lungs.
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