Final answer:
Chronic bronchitis decreases airflow due to inflammation and mucus in the bronchial tubes and leads to low oxygen levels and elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood, mainly due to smoking.
Step-by-step explanation:
Someone suffering from chronic bronchitis, a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), will experience various changes in the respiratory system. In chronic bronchitis, the inflammation and excess mucus production in the bronchial tubes lead to several physiological effects:
- Decreased airflow: The airways narrow due to inflammation and mucus, which reduces airflow and makes breathing more difficult.
- Low oxygen levels: The ability of lungs to exchange gases is compromised, which causes a reduction in oxygen levels in the blood.
- Elevated carbon dioxide levels: Impaired gas exchange also leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.
These changes are associated mainly with a prolonged history of smoking, although other factors like air pollution and genetics can also contribute. Treatments include supplemental oxygen and inhaled bronchodilators; however, the most effective prevention for COPD is never to start smoking or to cease smoking if one has already started.