Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (cont.)
Medical Author:
George Schiffman, MD, FCCP
George Schiffman, MD, FCCPDr. Schiffman received his B.S. degree with High Honors in biology from Hobart College in 1976. He then moved to Chicago where he studied biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle. He attended Rush Medical College where he received his M.D. degree in 1982 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In this Article
 How does the normal lung work?The lung is the organ for gas exchange; it transfers oxygen from the air into the blood and carbon dioxide (a waste product of the body) from the blood into the air. To accomplish gas exchange the lung has two components; airways and alveoli. The airways are branching, tubular passages like the branches of a tree that allow air to move in and out of the lungs. The wider segments of the airways are the trachea and the two bronchi (going to either the right or left lung). The smaller segments are called bronchioles. At the ends of the bronchioles are the alveoli, thin-walled sacs. (The airways and alveoli can be conceptualized as bunches of grapes with the airways analogous to the stems and the alveoli analogous to the grapes.) Small blood vessels (capillaries) run in the walls of the alveoli, and it is across the thin walls of the alveoli where gas exchange between air and blood takes place. Breathing involves inspiration followed by exhalation. During inspiration, muscles of the diaphragm and the rib cage contract and expand the size of the chest (as well as the airways and alveoli) causing negative pressure within the airways and alveoli. As a result, air is sucked through the airways and into the alveoli and the chest wall is enlarged. During exhalation, the same muscles relax and the chest wall springs back to its resting positions, shrinking the chest and creating positive pressure within the airways and alveoli. As a result, air is expelled from the lungs. The walls of the bronchioles are weak and have a tendency to collapse, especially while exhaling. Normally, the bronchioles are kept open by the elasticity of the lung. Elasticity of the lung is supplied by elastic fibers which surround the airways and line the walls of the alveoli. When lung tissue is destroyed, as it is in patients with COPD who have emphysema, there is loss of elasticity and the bronchioles can collapse and obstruct the flow of air. Normal lung tissues look a lot like a normal sponge. Emphysema often looks like an old sponge with large irregular holes and loss of the spring and elasticity.
Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 5/13/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Causes
Question: What was the cause of your COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Experience
Question: Were you, a friend, or relative diagnosed with COPD? Please share your experience.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Symptoms
Question: The symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Treatments
Question: What treatment has been effective for your COPD?
|
Suggested Reading on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
26 articles-
Lung Cancer
- Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified
-
Pneumonia
- Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial,
-
Acute Bronchitis
- Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic.
-
Polycythemia (High Red Blood Cell Count)
- Polycythemia (elevated red blood cell count) causes are either primary (aquired or genetic mutations) or secondary (diseases, conditions, high altitude).
-
Emphysema
- Emphysema is a progressive disease of the lungs. The primary cause of emphysema is smoking. Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is a rare disorder that has
-
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature heartbeats originating from the ventricles of the heart. PVCs are premature because they occur
-
Cough
- Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette
-
Chronic Bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with production of sputum that lasts for at least three months, two years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis
-
Pneumothorax
- A pneumothorax is free air in the chest outside the lung, that causes the lung to collapse (collapsed lung). There are two types of pneumothorax, spontaneous
-
Chest Pain
- Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia,
-
Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormal elevation of the pressure in the pulmonary circulation caused by the constriction of the blood vessels that supply
-
Asthma
- Asthma is a common disorder in which chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms
-
Fatigue
- Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes
-
Bronchiectasis
- Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lung become damaged. Inflammation from infection or other causes destroys the smooth
-
Interstitial Lung Disease
- Interstitial lung disease, is a term to describe a certain lung condition. Causes of interstitial lung disease include lung infection, exposure to toxins
-
Coma
- Coma is the inability to waken or react to the surrounding environment. The Glasgow Coma Scale is frequently used to measure the depth of coma. Causes
-
ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lung condition in which trauma to the lungs leads to inflammation of the lungs, accumulation of fluid in
-
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that may cause liver and lung disease in adults. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath,
-
Asthma Medications
- There are two types of asthma medications: long-term control with anti-inflammatory drugs and quick relief from bronchodilators. Asthma medicines may be
-
Nicotine
- Nicotine is delivered to the brain through smoking, chewing, or sniffing tobacco. Nicotine is an addictive agent. Common names for nicotine products include
-
Smoker's Lung: Pathology Photo Essay
- Smoker's lung photo essay is a collection of pictures and microscopic slides of lung disease caused by cigarette smoking. Smoker's lung refers to the diseases
-
Asthma Complexities
- There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing.
-
Lung Anatomy
- The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide
-
Secondhand Smoke
- Secondhand smoke can cause illness and disease in nonsmokers. Some of these conditions include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses such as
-
Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
- If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia.
-
Treating the Flu in People with Health Risks
- Certain portions of the population are at an increased risk of suffering serious complications from the flu. Some of these indviduals at risk include:
-
Lung Cancer
-
Medications
59 articles -
Procedures & Tests
7 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
9 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
14 articles -
Health News
51 articles -
Health Features
3 articles
