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
 What is chronic asthma?Asthma, like chronic bronchitis, is a disease of the airways. Obstruction to the flow of air is due to inflammation of the airways as well as spasm of muscles surrounding the airways in asthma. The narrowing that results from spasm of the muscles is called bronchospasm. Generally, bronchospasm in asthma is reversible and subsides spontaneously or with the use of bronchodilators (medications that relax the muscles surrounding the airways). We now know that a major component of asthma is inflammation of the airways, and this inflammation causes thickening of the walls of the airways. This inflammation involves different inflammatory cells and mediators than those seen in chronic bronchitis. This may play a role in the choice of anti-inflammatory medications for these similar yet different entities. In many asthmatics, anti-inflammatory medications such as inhaled steroids are required to reduce this inflammation. In long standing asthma, this chronic inflammation can lead to scarring and fixed airway obstruction. What is bronchiectasis?Bronchiectasis is another abnormality that can be found in patients with COPD. In bronchiectasis, serious and repeated infections of the lung as well as abnormal development of the lung results in permanent damage to the airways. The damaged airways become enlarged tubes or, in more severe cases, large sacs. These segments of lung can impair clearance of secretions. The damaged, mucus-filled airways often become infected, resulting in further inflammation and damage to the airways. Patients with bronchiectasis often have a vigorous cough producing large amounts of infected mucus. 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: Please share your experience with COPD.
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?
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