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COPD, Cites: Ignatavicius, D., Workman, L., Rebar, C., & Heimgartner,…

- - - - some people have AAT deficiency, which causes COPD to develop at a younger age
  - - - this is inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles due to chronic exposure to irritants (especially cigarette smoke)
    - - is characterized by loss of lung elasticity (reduces its ability to recoil after stretching) leading to hyperinflation of lung tissue
        
        healthy lungs have enzymes called proteases which are present to destroy and eliminate particles inhaled during breathing
        
        smoking triggers increased synthesis of these enzymes to higher levels, which damage the alveoli and small airways by breaking down elastin
        
        Alveolar sacs lose their elasticity and the airways collapse or narrow
        
        This causes air to be trapped in the lung, which increase the work it takes to breathe, and changes airflow into the lungs
        
        this hyper inflated lung presses on the diaphragm, which weakens the muscle. This causes the patient to have to use accessory muscles to breathe
        
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      - it causes destruction of the alveoli, which leads to a decrease in surface area for gas exchange