Question

I'm certain chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, part of the airway (the bronchioles) constricts. what affects will this have on the airflow _____

Answer 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases.

The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Many people with COPD have both of these conditions.

Emphysema slowly destroys air sacs in your lungs, which interferes with outward air flow.

Bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which allows mucus to build up.

COPD causes breathing harder. Symptoms may be mild at first, beginning with coughing and shortness of breath. As it progresses, it can become increasingly difficult to breathe.

Early symptoms include:

• occasional shortness of breath, especially after exercise
• mild but recurrent cough
• needing to clear your throat often, especially first thing in the morning

Symptoms can get progressively worse and harder to ignore. As the lungs become more damaged,Patientsmay experience:

• shortness of breath, after even mild exercise such as walking up a flight of stairs
• wheezing, or noisy breathing
• chest tightness
• chronic cough, with or without mucus
• need to clear mucus from your lungs every day
• frequent colds, flu, or other respiratory infections
• lack of energy

In later stages of COPD, symptoms may also include:

• fatigue
• swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs
• weight loss

Immediate medical care is needed if:

• you have bluish or gray fingernails or lips, as this indicates low oxygen levels in your blood
• you have trouble catching your breath or cannot talk
• you feel confused, muddled, or faint
• your heart is racing

Symptoms are likely to be much worse if you currently smoke or are regularly exposed to smoke.

Patients with COPD may experience wheezing and tightness in the chest. Some patientsmay have exacerbations, or flare-ups of severe symptoms.

There’s no cure for COPD, but treatment can help ease symptoms, lower the chance of complications, and generally improve quality of life. Medications, oxygen therapy, and surgery are some forms of treatment.

Untreated, COPD can lead to heart problems and worsening respiratory infections.

The top cause of COPD is smoking. Long-term exposure to chemical irritants can also lead to COPD. It’s a disease that takes a long time to develop.

Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests, blood tests, and lung function tests.