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    Chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema are both conditions that fall under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis involves long-term inflammation of the airways that causes excess mucus production and recurring infections. Pulmonary emphysema results in the enlargement of air spaces in the lungs and breakdown of alveolar walls, reducing lung elasticity over many years before symptoms appear. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of COPD, but air pollution, occupational exposures, and infections can also irritate the lungs and lead to COPD.

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    Chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema are both conditions that fall under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis involves long-term inflammation of the airways that causes excess mucus production and recurring infections. Pulmonary emphysema results in the enlargement of air spaces in the lungs and breakdown of alveolar walls, reducing lung elasticity over many years before symptoms appear. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of COPD, but air pollution, occupational exposures, and infections can also irritate the lungs and lead to COPD.

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    23 views1 page

    COPD Patho

    Uploaded by

    pamelavigne
    Chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema are both conditions that fall under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis involves long-term inflammation of the airways that causes excess mucus production and recurring infections. Pulmonary emphysema results in the enlargement of air spaces in the lungs and breakdown of alveolar walls, reducing lung elasticity over many years before symptoms appear. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of COPD, but air pollution, occupational exposures, and infections can also irritate the lungs and lead to COPD.

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    You are here: Home / Pathophysiology / Pathophysiology of

    Chronic Bronchitis (COPD)

    Pathophysiology of Chronic
    Bronchitis (COPD)
    Posted by: Admin

    November 26, 2008 · 3 Comments · Email This Post ·


    Print This Post

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease


    characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.
    Airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with
    an inflammatory response in the lungs stimulated by irritants.
    COPD includes chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.
    Although sometimes included in COPD, asthma is a reversible
    disorder and is therefore considered elsewhere.

    Chronic bronchitis is chronic inflammation of the lower airways characterized by


    excessive secretion of mucus, hypertrophy of mucous glands, and recurring infection,
    progressing to narrowing and obstruction of airflow. Emphysema is the enlargement of
    the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, with breakdown of alveolar walls and
    loss of elastic recoil of the lungs. The two conditions may overlap, resulting in
    subsequent derangement of airways dynamics (e.g., obstruction to airflow). In pulmonary
    emphysema, lung function progressively deteriorates for many years before the illness
    becomes apparent.

    The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. Air pollution, occupational
    exposures, allergens, and infections may also act as irritants. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficient
    is an infrequent cause. Complications include respiratory failure, pneumonia or other
    overwhelming respiratory infection, right heart failure (cor pulmonale), arrhythmias, and
    depression.

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