Asthma And Emphysema Comparison

Asthma and emphysema are both known as obstructive lung diseases. Obstructive lung disease occurs when the airway is obstructed and is worse with expiration. For example, more force is required to exhale and emptying the lungs is slowed (Huether & McCance, 2012, p. 689). The most common type of obstructive lung diseases are asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Although, they are categorized as obstructive lung disease they have many similarities in that they have similar symptoms such as wheezing, increased work of breathing, ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and decreased forced expiratory volume in one second (Huether & McCance, 2012, p. 689). We will go into more detail about the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment
There are two different types of emphysema. Primary emphysema is due to an inherited deficiency in the alpha 1 antitrypsin enzyme. The second cause of emphysema is due respiratory exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, occupational exposures, and respiratory infections. Emphysema occurs when there is destruction of the alveoli. Instead of many small alveoli, the inner walls of the air sac weaken and rupture causing a large air space instead of many small one (a blebs). The loss of alveolar cells and loss of normal elastic recoil causes a reduction in the surface area of gas exchanges resulting in significant ventilation-perfusion mismatch and hypoxemia (Huether & McCance, 2012, p. 694). Due to the lost of elastic recoil, the volume of air that can be expired passively is reduce and air trapping in the lungs are increased. This results in an increase work of breathing, and eventually hypoventilation and hypercapnia late in the course of the disease (Huether & McCance, 2012, p. 694). Clinical manifestations of emphysema include: dyspnea, wheezing, barrel chest, and prolonged expiration. Late in the course of emphysema sign could include: productive cough, chronic hypoventilation, polycythemia, and cor pulmonale (Huether & McCance, 2012, p. 693). Management of emphysema depend on the severity but should always begin with smoking cessation. Other treatment includes inhaled anticholinergic agents, beta agonist, short course of oral steroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, improved nutrition, and breathing techniques (Huether & McCance, 2012, p.