Emphysema and chronic bronchitis often occur together. When they do, such a disorder is known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). COPD is often characterized by dyspnea (shortness of breath) and cyanosis (blue skin from reduced hemoglobin in blood). Individuals suffering from COPD will frequently have shortness of breath (emphysema), especially upon exertion, while deeper manifestations of COPD will induce shortness of breath at rest (Reisner & Reisner, 2017).
COPD may also cause chronic coughing with a purulent (infection from bronchitis) sputum. COPD will also create three particular anatomic derangements as the disease progresses: inflammation and narrowing of the terminal bronchioles, dilation of pulmonary air spaces, and loss of lung elasticity (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). Said derangements cause severe pulmonary dysfunctions. As the aggregates of COPD (bronchitis and emphysema) continue to worsen, the individual will eventually lose lung function because of the superimposed pulmonary infection. Such a condition eventually leads to death (Reisner & Reisner, 2017).
Management of COPD comes largely from prevention and/or avoidance of behavioral and environmental factors, which cause and worsen the disease. Reisner and Reisner (2017) suggested individuals refrain from smoking (behavioral) and inhalation of other substances known to be injurious to the lungs. Atmospheric air pollution (environmental) has also been marked as a cause of emphysema. A particularly relevant note is that once the lungs have been damaged, as in COPD, they can never be fully restored to normal (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). However, some medical interventions can help control symptoms and progression, such as draining bronchial secretions (Reisner & Reisner, 2017). However, prevention of COPD via healthy lifestyle choices and favorable environmental conditions is paramount.
References
Reisner, E. G., & Reisner, H. M. (2017). An introduction to human disease: Pathology and pathophysiology correlations (10th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
-Michael McIsaac