Question

If a COPD patient is thin and underweight and frequently uses accessory muscles, what pathology exists?

Answer 1

A thin and underweight COPD patient who frequently uses accessory muscles may have a condition called muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is a decrease in muscle mass, which can be induced by various diseases and conditions, including COPD.

Step-by-step explanation:

A thin and underweight COPD patient who frequently uses accessory muscles may have a condition called muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is a decrease in muscle mass, which can be induced by various diseases and conditions, including COPD. In COPD, the breakdown of connective tissues in the lungs leads to the reduction of alveoli, trapping air in the lungs and hampering gas exchange. This can result in low oxygen levels and the use of accessory muscles to breathe.