COPD Flashcards
How is COPD characterised?
COPD is characterised by airflow obstruction that is progressive in severity and not fully reversible
What conditions does COPD cover?
Chronic bronchitis
emphysema
chronic asthma
What are the main causes of COPD?
smoking
occupational exposure
alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
social deprivation
What are the three main signs of bronchitis?
inflammation
increased sputum production
wheezing from narrowed airways
What are normal airways lined by?
cells which produce mucus
tiny hairs called cillia which continually beat
Describe normal airway clearance
mucus traps dust particles and bacteria
the cilia move the mucus along until it reaches the throat and we swallow it or cough
What can go wrong with airway clearance?
In COPD and bronchiectasis excess mucus is produced
mucus is thicker and stickier
the cilia are unable to beat
smoking paralyses the cilia
What happens when airway clearance goes wrong?
dust and bacteria stay trapped in airways
mucus build up and provides warm moist environment for bacteria to grow
infections can develop
What is bronchitis?
a chronic disease of the lungs where the bronchi become inflamed
What happens when bronchi become inflamed (with bronchitis)?
The inflammation causes more mucus to be produced, which narrows the airway and makes breathing more difficult
increased sputum production
wheezing is very common especially after coughing because the inflamed airways may narrow for short periods of time
What is emphysema?
a condition where the alveoli of the lungs become inflamed and lose their natural elasticity
What happens with emohysema?
alveoli over expand and lose their ability to fill up and contract properly
as air fills in these sacs, some rupture and become one sac reducing the surface area for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
When you breathe out the trapped air can’t be released and breathing becomes more and more difficult
What is asthma?
an episodic increase in airway obstruction caused by various stimuli resulting in increased airway resistance
What are the symptoms of asthma?
breathlessness
wheeze
tightness in the chest
Is asthma reversible?
Often reversible airway disease but it can become chronic with some fixed airway damage
