COPD Flashcards
1
Q
What different health problems can smoking cause?
A
- COPD
- lung cancer
- coronary heart disease
- pneumonia
2
Q
differences in chest x ray - COPD
A
- hyperinflated lungs
- diaphragm may look lower and flatter
- heart may look longer
3
Q
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and what are the two forms it can take?
A
- progressive respiratory condition - chronic airflow limitation making it difficult to breathe
- two forms
1. Chronic bronchitis - inflammation + irritation of airways —-> excess mucus + cough
2. Emphysema - damage to alveoli —-> reducing elasticity + impairing exchange of O2 + CO2
4
Q
what type of epithelium lines airways?
A
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
5
Q
Why has the epithelium undergone metaplasia in smokers?
A
chronic irritation - chronic exposure to irritants in cigarette smoke such as tar irritates respiratory epithelium
6
Q
What is tiotropium? How does it help patients with COPD?
A
- medication used to treat COPD
- antumuscarnic agent
- blocks muscarinic receptors —-> inhibits bronchoconstrictive effects of acetlycholine —-> bronchodilation + improved airflow
