COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease) Flashcards
what has happened to alveoli in emphysema? what happens to the elasticity of the lung?
damaged and destroyed -> lose elasticity
do people with emphysema have trouble inhaling or exhaling?
exhaling
which 2 conditions fall under the umbrella term ‘COPD’?
- lung emphysema
- chronic bronchitis
what’s the difference between lung emphysema and chronic bronchitis?
emphysema: structural changes
chronic bronchitis: symptoms like a cough
what’s the major cause of COPD?
smoking
lung emphysema do they usually co-exist chronic bronchitis?
yes
what happens to the airways in COPD?
they become obstructed
can the lungs properly empty in COPD? what is the consequence?
no.
air gets trapped, and people can breathe out less air
what is the FVC? is it lower or higher in COPD?
forced vital capacity, lower
max amount of air out in single breath
FEV1 to FVC ratio -> low or high in COPD?
low (FEV1 goes down even more than FVC) = hallmark of COPD
(normally it’s for example 80%, in COPD more like 50%)
what is the FEV1? is it lower or higher in COPD?
forced expiratory volume in 1sec, lower
first second of air out
what is TLC? higher or lower in COPD? why?
total lung capacity, higher, because of air trapping
what happens on cellular level in alveoli during smoking? (which leads to COPD)
immune cells get attracted -> inflammatory reaction. breakdown of structural proteins such as elastase and collagenase
what happens to bronchiole walls during exhalation in COPD?
collapse (weak/not elastic)
what happens to bronchiole walls during inhalation in COPD?
expand wide (more compliant)
what happens to the septa between alveoli in COPD? what is the consequence for available surface area for gas exchange?
they break down.
surface area for gas exchange is reduced
what are the symptoms of emphysema?
- dyspnea
- cough
- sputum (excess mucus production)
- exhaling slowly through pursed lips
- weight loss (lots of energy spend on breathing)
- hypoxemia (over time)
what can happen to the shape of the chest in COPD? why is this?
barrel shaped
because of constant air trapping & hyperinflation
what is hypoxic vasoconstriction in the lungs?
when a part of the lung has poor gas exchange the vessels constricts -> more blood to better ventilated parts of the lung
what is the reason behind pulmonary hypertension in COPD?
because of hypoxic vasoconstrictions too many vessels constricts -> hypertension
what happens to the heart in pulmonary hypertension?
right sides heart failure
what is ‘cor pulmonale’?
disorder of the respiratory system leads to alteration of the right ventricle
what is the treatment of emphysema?
- quit smoking
- supplemental oxygen
- medication: bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, antibiotics
