Question

Slowing down or stopping an activity because you can't catch your breath is one sign of COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In COPD the airways of the lungs are narrowed, and this makes it hard to get air out and causes an "out of breath" feeling. Other symptoms of COPD can include frequent coughing, excess mucus, and sometimes wheezing. Some patients with COPD also show loss of lung tissue on chest x-rays—a condition called "emphysema." Explain what is meant by the statement: "In COPD the airways of the lungs are narrowed." Specifically, what part of the respiratory system will be narrowed? Then explain how emphysema could lead to shortness of breath. Be sure to identify and describe the specific tissues involved.

Answer 1

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, pretty much says it all. In COPD the Bronchioles (the pathways of air to the Aveoli), become inflamed and are occluded by mucus, because the Cilia which are responsible for pushing it out of the tract have been damaged. Because of the narrowing, the Aveoli attempt to increase the surface area so that more oxygen can be absorbed by the lungs, however this can lead to a problem as the dead space (space that is not the aveoli and can be absorbed) is then expanded as well, which leads to shortness of breath.