emphysema bronchiectasis
difference between emphysema and bronchiectasis?
both bronchiectasis and emphysema are classifed as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)
emphysema mainly is the problem with the elastic recoil of the lung. our lungs can expand to its maximum size and has the ability to go back (or recoil) to its original shape. 2 causes for emphysema
1. congenital — meaning from birth. some people (rare cases) have a condition called “alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency” and this is responsible for the recoil of the lung
2. smoking — destroys that “recoil” — so lungs become over inflated.
with emphysema, airways are constricted also (somewhat like asthma) and because of the loss of recoil of the lung AND constricted airways, all the CO2 is “trapped” in the patient’s lungs.
Bronchiectasis is the abnormal and/or permanent distortion of one or more of the conducting bronchi or airways, most often follows an infectious process. Bronchiectasis is manifested by airways that are inflamed and easily collapsible, resulting in air flow obstruction and impaired clearance of secretions.
with bronchiectasis — sputum is usually “brown” and has an unpleasant odor — due to secretions that were trapped in the airways for long periods of time. (ew)
in order to diagnose which specific condition the patient has — it takes CT scans and pulmonary function studies to do so.
How we Came to be Diagnosed
