how does chronic bronchitis lead to emphysema and how the cor pulmonale is developed??
i have gone through couple of websites but couldn't find clear answer if someone can please explain a bit, thanks!
waiting for answers
Well, the reason you have not found a clear answer is because of the questions you asked. First of all, chronic bronchitis does not necessarily "lead" to emphysema. The two often occur together as smoking is the number one cause for both. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two conditions that make up the category COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is defined by the World Health Organization as "a common preventable and treatable disease, characterized by airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and the lung to noxious particles or gases." Chronic Bronchitis is a chronic productive cough in a person for at least 3 months for at least 2 successive years in which other causes of cough have been excluded. Emphysema is the permanent enlargement of the alveoli (the end airspaces in the lung) with accompanied destruction of the walls of those airspaces without obvious fibrosis (thickening). Either of these disease can lead to airflow limitations which brings the diagnosis of COPD in to cover them.
Secondly, to cor pulmonale. Cor pulmonale is the alteration in the structure of the right ventricle of the heart and abnormality of the function due to pulmonary hypertension. The alveoli of the lung are the last place the oxygen we take in is before it moves to the blood supply. As I described before, the walls of the alveoli are inflamed and destroyed with COPD as well as some limitation of getting air in and out of the lungs. Due to this, the oxygen diffusion that normally occurs in the lungs is disrupted. The lungs and heart try to compensate for this by increasing the pressure in the lungs (which is irreversible). When the pressure in the lungs increases, the heart has to push blood against a higher pressure system. The right ventricle (which is in charge of this) gets larger and thicker to be able to do this. It doesn't function normally because it is no longer "normal." This is what we call "cor pulmonale."
As far as more research into this, there are multiple sites online (webmd, and uptodate) that can help with this type of medical information.
Thank you so much, that helped alot, you rock ^_^ thanks again!!
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are both types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and they often occur together. Here's an explanation of how chronic bronchitis can lead to emphysema, and how this can eventually lead to cor pulmonale.
Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tubes, which are the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs. This inflammation leads to increased production of mucus and narrowing of the airways, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. Over time, chronic bronchitis can cause damage to the bronchial walls and result in scarring.
Emphysema, on the other hand, is characterized by damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The air sacs lose their elasticity and become stretched out, which reduces their ability to recoil and expel air. This results in air trapping within the lungs. In emphysema, the walls of the air sacs are also weakened and may eventually rupture, causing larger air spaces called bullae to form.
The relationship between chronic bronchitis and emphysema is that chronic bronchitis can lead to airway inflammation and damage, resulting in obstruction and difficulty clearing air from the lungs. This impaired airflow can increase pressure in the lungs, which ultimately leads to changes in the structure and function of the lungs, contributing to the development of emphysema.
Cor pulmonale refers to a condition in which the right side of the heart becomes enlarged and strained due to lung disease. In the case of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, cor pulmonale typically develops as a result of the obstructed airflow and increased pressure within the lungs.
To better understand the mechanisms and specific details of these processes, medical textbooks or more specialized resources may provide in-depth explanations. Consulting a medical professional, such as a pulmonologist, would also provide you with accurate and comprehensive information tailored to your specific case.