There is a clear relationship between emphysema and COPD, explain the pathophysiology of emphysema and the relationship to COPD.
There is a clear relationship between emphysema and COPD, explain the pathophysiology of emphysema and the relationship to COPD.
Selected Answer:
Emphysema is one of the lung conditions included in the term COPD. Normal lung tissue resembles a sponge; however, the lungs of people with emphysema look like an old used sponge, with large holes in them and a limited ability to “spring-back” into shape.
Emphysema is a progressive disease, that usually starts slowly with small holes between the alveoli, which eventually collapse to form larger air spaces. Old air gets trapped in these air spaces, which makes it difficult for people to inhale fresh air. Blood flow through the alveoli is also impaired meaning that people with emphysema not only struggle to breathe but have trouble receiving enough oxygen.
Cigarette smoking is by far the biggest cause of emphysema, but also the most preventable. Emphysema is more common with age and in males, and it tends to run in families. Other causes include air pollution, airway reactivity, and a deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin.
The main difference between emphysema and COPD is that emphysema is a progressive lung disease caused by over-inflation of the alveoli and COPD is an umbrella term used to describe a group of lung conditions emphysema is one of them. A person with emphysema has COPD; however, not everybody with COPD has emphysema.
Correct Answer:
Emphysema is a disease of the airways that causes permanent enlargement of the gas exchange airways. It is accompanied by destruction of the alveolar walls do not appear to be fibrotic. Chronic exposure to irritants recruit neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes to the lung resulting in progressive damage from inflammatory oxidative stress. Emphysema is characterized by destruction of alveoli leading to decreased surface area for gas exchange that causes significant ventilation/perfusion mismatch.