Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease classification
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Microchapters |
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Differentiating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from other Diseases |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), is a group of diseases characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible In the airways of the lung, the hallmark of chronic bronchitis is an increased number (hyperplasia) and increased size (hypertrophy) of the goblet cells and mucous glands of the airway. As a result, there is more mucus than usual in the airways, contributing to narrowing of the airways and causing a cough with sputum. Microscopically there is infiltration of the airway walls with inflammatory cells. Inflammation is followed by scarring and remodeling that thickens the walls and also results in narrowing of the airways. As chronic bronchitis progresses, there is squamous metaplasia (an abnormal change in the tissue lining the inside of the airway) and fibrosis (further thickening and scarring of the airway wall). The consequence of these changes is a limitation of airflow.[1]
Patients with advanced COPD that have primarily chronic bronchitis rather than emphysema were commonly referred to as "Blue Bloaters" because of the bluish color of the skin and lips (cyanosis) seen in them.[2] The hypoxia and fluid retention leads to them being called "Blue Bloaters".
References
- ↑ Kumar P, Clark M (2005). Clinical Medicine (6th ed.). Elsevier Saunders. pp. 900–1. ISBN 0702027634.
- ↑ Chung C, Delaney J, Hodgins R (2008). "Respirology". In Somogyi, Ron; Colman, Rebecca. The Toronto notes 2008: a comprehensive medical reference and review for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam — Part 1 and the United States Medical Licensing Exam — Step 2. Toronto: Toronto Notes for Medical Students. p. R9. ISBN 0-9685928-8-0.