Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung condition th

Question

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung condition that limits airflow in the lungs. The two most common conditions are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. This question is focussed on emphysema. You may use diagrams to help explain your answer.

(a) What is emphysema and what is the cause? (1 mark)

(b) What are the effects of smoking on the ability of the lung to protect itself and the major pathophysiological consequences of the loss of this protective ability? (2 marks)

(c) What is a major hallmark of emphysema? (1 mark)

(d) What limits flow rate when you forcible breathe out? (1 mark)

(e) Why is the down slope on a flow volume loop is always the same no matter how intense the effort during a forced expiration? (1 mark)

(f) What happens with a flow volume loop in patients with emphysema when they breathe out? (1 mark)

(g) Why do people with emphysema have low arterial oxygen (hypoxia)? (2 marks)

(h) What can be done to help people with emphysema? (1 m

Explanation / Answer

a) emphysema is a lung disease wherein the walls of the alveoli are damaged such that proper exchane of the gases is inhibited. The most common cause is smoking, although, genetic causes also make up for the some cases.

b) Smoking decreases the ability of the lung to protect itself by damaging the natural defenses of the lung. Smoking increases increased and thick mucus production which is harder to clean from the lung because of which the lungs are more prone to infections. Smoking accelerates ageing of the lung tissue.

c) the common and major hallmark of emphysema is shortness of breath

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